Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, the Pentagon’s top strategic planner, amid an ongoing investigation into alleged classified information leaks concerning the Iran and Ukraine wars. The dismissal on Wednesday marks another high-profile departure under the current administration, with the case referred to the Justice Department for potential prosecution.
The Pentagon’s top planning officer was ousted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia headed the Joint Chiefs’s Strategy, Plans and Policy Directorate, known in military parlance as the J5. Pentagon press secretary Sean Parnell announced the personnel action in a statement on X, attributing the dismissal to an extensive investigation by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
While Parnell’s statement did not name Sylvia directly, defense officials confirmed the connection to the Washington Post. Officials stated that the investigation has been referred to the Justice Department for potential legal action. The Department of Justice declined to comment specifically on Sylvia but acknowledged ongoing investigations related to possible leaks of classified information while working closely with the Department of War. Prior to his tenure with the Joint Chiefs, Sylvia acted as a special assistant to the Army Chief of Staff working under Gen. George, and earlier commanded the 101st Airborne Division based out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Internal Investigation Accusations and Disputed Accounts
According to an internal investigation report reviewed by Axios, Sylvia admitted to leaking classified information regarding the wars in Iran and Ukraine to journalists over roughly a year. The report alleged that Sylvia communicated with reporters using the encrypted messaging application Signal. During meetings, he reportedly relied on notes he had made while reviewing a classified report to orally share information about U.S. assistance to Ukraine without coordinating the meetings with the Pentagon’s public affairs office or seeking clearance. The investigation also raised questions about Sylvia’s handling of communications with one of the reporters, noting he received a Signal message in June or July that he believed concerned Iran.
JUST IN:US secratery of War Pete Hegseth has removed army lieutenant General Brett Sylvia, the Pentagon's top military planner, without giving a public explanation, according to The Atlantic.Sylvia was a key link between US military forces, the Pentagon and the White House.… pic.twitter.com/HLPtxkn41F
Other reports offered varying accounts of the evidence. However, two other Pentagon sources disputed the allegations to CBS News, and a colleague told The Washington Post that Sylvia had repeatedly denied leaking classified information.
President Donald Trump addressed the firing on Thursday, October 29, telling reporters that Sylvia was going to have big problems
and warning of long-term problems.
Trump added that the administration was very much looking for leakers,
though he mistakenly referred to Sylvia using female pronouns during the exchange.
Strategic Timing Amid Looming Iran Operations
Sylvia’s departure leaves the president’s top military advisors without a lead planner during an active conflict. The J5 directorate is responsible for broad strategic planning, policy development, and long-term assessment, serving as a critical link between the operational force, department policy, and the White House.
The ouster comes as the Pentagon weighs renewed military operations against Iran. Sylvia is the second officer leading the J5 to be removed under Hegseth, following Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee, who was forced into retirement in October 2025. Hegseth also removed Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, then director of the Joint Staff, earlier that year.
Broader Military Leadership Purge Under Hegseth
Sylvia’s dismissal adds to a growing list of high-profile departures since Hegseth took charge of the Department of Defense. The defense secretary has overseen a sweeping turnover that has included the firings or departures of senior officers and admirals. Additional reductions of 10 percent targeting roles held by generals and admirals were announced by Hegseth in September, following a prior round of 10 percent cuts applied to those identical positions throughout 2025.
No immediate successor has been named for Sylvia following his removal and the removal of his online biography from the Joint Staff website.
