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Pentagon official says Hegseth fired Joint Staff strategy chief over alleged leaks

Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia was removed from his Joint Staff post; sources differ on the reason and who ordered it.

Updated Oct 29, 2026 · 10:23 UTC3 reports

The short version

  • Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia was removed as head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Staff.[ABC News · CNBC · CBS News]
  • A Pentagon official says Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Sylvia, who was accused of leaking classified information and failing three polygraph tests; the case was referred to the Justice Department.[CBS News]
  • Sources differ on the stated reason for the removal and on whether Hegseth or Gen. Dan Caine ordered it.[ABC News · CNBC]
  • Sylvia retired from the Army after 32 years of service, according to a Joint Staff spokesperson.[ABC News]

Key facts

  • Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia was removed as head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Staff.[ABC News · CNBC · CBS News]
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Sylvia, according to a Pentagon official.[CBS News]
  • A Pentagon official said Sylvia was accused of misconduct for leaking classified information about the Iran and Russia-Ukraine wars and failed three polygraph tests; the case was referred to the Justice Department.[CBS News]
  • Sylvia retired from the U.S. Army after 32 years of service, according to a Joint Staff spokesperson.[ABC News]
  • One source said it was unclear whether Hegseth or Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, ordered the removal.[ABC News]
  • Sources gave differing accounts of the reason: one cited a lack of confidence, while another said no reason was given.[ABC News · CNBC]

What remains uncertain

  • Whether Hegseth or Gen. Dan Caine ordered the removal remains unclear and is disputed among sources.[ABC News]
  • The stated reason for the removal is disputed, with one source citing lack of confidence and another reporting that no reason was given.[ABC News · CNBC]
  • The misconduct and polygraph allegations rest on an anonymous Pentagon official and have not been independently verified in the reporting.[CBS News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.