Pentagon Leadership Shakeup: Top Planner Removed After Leaking Iran and Ukraine Data

Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, the Pentagon’s principal military planner, was dismissed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier this week after confessing to leaking classified information regarding Iran and Ukraine. The departure follows a period of intense scrutiny within the Department of Defense, where officials moved to tighten control over the release of sensitive military data to the press.

According to a US official, Sylvia failed four polygraph tests before admitting to the misconduct on camera. A Pentagon report stated that Sylvia was accused of making unauthorized disclosures to the media. The report noted that he was cooperative in answering questions about his interactions with reporters and provided his personal phone for forensic examination. The investigation determined that Sylvia began leaking information as early as June 2025, a period preceding the official removal of media outlets from the Pentagon.

The report details that Sylvia used a secure messaging application called Signal to transmit information. He also met in person with a reporter who was writing a book. The two met at a diner in Arlington, Virginia, a location roughly ten minutes from the Pentagon. The meeting took place because the reporter’s access to the Pentagon had been revoked between sessions. During the encounter, Sylvia relied on notes taken from a classified secret report to orally convey information about US assistance to Ukraine. He did not coordinate these meetings with Pentagon officials or verify the information before sharing it.

President Donald Trump addressed the situation on Thursday when asked about the evidence supporting the dismissal. The president referred to the general using the feminine pronoun, stating, "She's going to have big problems. Long-term problems." Meanwhile, Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell issued a statement on X/Twitter shortly after the news broke. Parnell declared that the Department of War has zero tolerance for the intentional, unauthorized disclosure of classified information.

Parnell wrote that classified information is not personal property and that leaking it for personal, political, or professional gain constitutes a betrayal of trust. He confirmed that the matter, along with other cases, has been referred to the Justice Department for potential further legal action. Although Parnell did not name Sylvia directly, a defense official familiar with the matter told The Washington Post that the comments related to the general’s removal. The spokesperson added that no further comment would be made regarding the individual or the circumstances to protect the integrity of the investigation.

The dismissal occurs as Hegseth’s team adopts a stricter approach to information leaks, relying partly on the use and threat of polygraph tests. Dozens of US military officers have been subjected to these tests as concerns mounted over reports discussing the depletion of critical air defense munitions. In July, the Defense Department announced a joint task force with the Justice Department aimed at identifying those responsible for leaking information within the Pentagon. The Department also asked its Office of General Counsel to prioritize prosecutions against individuals who made unauthorized disclosures to the media.