Hegseth fires Pentagon's top military planner over what official says were leaks to media

Washington — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired the Pentagon's top military planner, several sources confirmed to CBS News late Wednesday.

A Pentagon official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive personnel matters, said Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia was accused of misconduct for allegedly leaking classified information related to the Iran war and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Sylvia failed three polygraph tests about sharing classified information with the press, the official said, adding that the case has been referred to the Department of Justice.

Two other Pentagon sources confirmed to CBS News that the firing was related to the polygraph tests, but said those accusations are not true.

Hegseth has made rooting out leakers at the Pentagon a priority, with sources telling CBS News last month that high-ranking military officials were subject to polygraph tests. Three staffers from his office were escorted out last year amid a leak investigation, but the Pentagon never released the results of any investigation. ---More...

???? BREAKING OVERNIGHT: SecWar Pete Hegseth has FIRED Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia after he reportedly FAILED three polygraphs about leaking classified information to the press GOOD RIDDANCE TO ALL LEAKERS! ???????? He's now under investigation over LEAKS about the Iran war, the Russia-Ukraine war and more, and the case has been referred to the DOJ Sylvia purportedly got around the Pentagon's escort rules for reporters by meeting journalists outside the building Hegseth made the right move for our country!

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh)October 29, 2026