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The Pentagon has referred an investigation into an alleged classified information leak involving a senior US Army general to the Justice Department, saying his removal was necessary to protect sensitive government information.
The announcement came after media reports revealed that Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia had been removed from his post as director of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Staff. Sylvia previously reported directly to Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The general’s dismissal earlier this week came without a public explanation. It surprised colleagues and raised questions within the military about allegations reportedly circulated by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s team. Attempts to contact Sylvia for comment have been unsuccessful.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the Defense Department had “zero tolerance for the intentional, unauthorized disclosure of classified information.”
He said an extensive internal investigation had led to the referral of the case, along with other matters, to the Justice Department for possible legal action.
Parnell and other Pentagon representatives did not disclose the specific allegations against Sylvia or present public evidence supporting them.
Although Parnell did not identify the general, a defense official familiar with the matter confirmed that the announcement concerned Sylvia’s removal. The official spoke anonymously because of the sensitive nature of the investigation.
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The Justice Department separately confirmed that it was investigating possible leaks of classified information and coordinating with other federal agencies, including the Pentagon.
When reporters asked President Donald Trump about the evidence against the general on Thursday, Trump appeared unaware that Sylvia was a man and referred to him as a woman.
“She’s going to have big problems,” Trump said, adding that the individual would face “long-term problems.”
A colleague of Sylvia told The Washington Post that the general had repeatedly denied leaking classified information. The colleague acknowledged, however, that Sylvia had previously interacted with journalists.
Such professional contacts have traditionally been considered acceptable for senior military officers, particularly those with extensive experience and responsibilities. However, military officials’ interactions with journalists have faced greater scrutiny under Hegseth, who has repeatedly criticised the news media.
Sylvia’s removal comes amid a wider effort by Hegseth to make changes among senior military officials. Several personnel departures have taken place without detailed public explanations.
The referral also appears to be the first publicly known instance of Hegseth’s administration seeking potential criminal prosecution of a senior active-duty military officer over an alleged leak.
Officials say Hegseth’s team has stepped up efforts to identify people sharing information with journalists. Those efforts have reportedly included the use or threat of polygraph examinations.
Dozens of military officers reportedly underwent such tests during the Iran war. The examinations followed media reports about declining stocks of critical air defence munitions and other advanced weapons.
The administration has faced previous scrutiny over its handling of alleged leaks. Last year, Hegseth removed three political appointees — Dan Caldwell, Colin Carroll and Darin Selnick — accusing them of disclosing classified information to the media.
An extensive investigation resulted in no criminal charges against the three. Caldwell later returned to government service with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, prompting further questions about the original allegations.
Sylvia’s departure has also placed Gen. Dan Caine’s team in a difficult position.
On Wednesday evening, the chairman’s office issued a statement thanking Sylvia for his 32 years of military service and wishing him and his family success in the future.
However, Caine’s office withdrew the statement early Thursday, saying it did not accurately reflect the full circumstances surrounding the personnel matter.
A revised statement said the office would make no further comments out of respect for Sylvia and the ongoing personnel process.
Several senior officers serving under Caine have previously faced forced retirement under Hegseth, including Sylvia’s predecessor, Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee.
The general’s sudden departure has unsettled colleagues, some of whom have questioned whether the allegations from the defense secretary’s team accurately reflect the circumstances.
Sylvia, 54, previously commanded the 101st Airborne Division and earned widespread respect among fellow officers. Some colleagues believed he had the potential to become a four-star general in the coming years.
His career also included recognition for bravery in combat. In September 2013, Sylvia received the Bronze Star with a V device for valor during a battle in Afghanistan. He was wounded in the engagement and later received the Purple Heart.
Investigations into alleged leaks involving senior military officials have occurred before.
In 2016, retired Marine Gen. James Cartwright pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI during an investigation into the disclosure of classified information about the Stuxnet cyberattack, which damaged Iranian nuclear facilities.
Cartwright had served as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff before retiring in 2011. The investigation examined whether he had shared details of the cyberattack with New York Times journalist David Sanger.
Cartwright admitted misleading investigators about the timing and locations of his meetings with the reporter. However, he denied being the original source of the leak.
He later said he had spoken with journalists to protect American interests and lives, not to expose classified information.
President Barack Obama subsequently granted Cartwright a presidential pardon.
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