US Defence Secretary Pete Hagseth has sacked Lieutenant-General Brett Sylvia, who headed the Strategy, Planning and Policy Directorate of the Pentagon’s Joint Staff. The reason was suspicion that he had passed on classified information to journalists relating to the US war against Iran and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The personnel decision was reported on 29 October 2026 by ABC News, CBS News and the Associated Press, citing sources within the US Department of Defence. However, the general’s guilt has not been officially proven, and some Pentagon officials deny the allegations made against him.
Key points at a glance:
- US Defence Secretary Pete Hagseth has dismissed Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia.
- The general is suspected of leaking classified information about the wars in Ukraine and Iran.
- According to one Pentagon official, Sylvia failed the polygraph test on three occasions. Other sources deny the allegations of a leak.
- The Pentagon has confirmed that personnel measures have been taken following an investigation and the referral of the case to the US Department of Justice.
- Sylvia held a strategic post for 11 months and served in the army for 32 years.
Why did the Pentagon dismiss a high-ranking general?
According to ABC News, Brett Silvia He headed Department J-5 of the Joint Staff for 11 months United States Armed Forces. This department is responsible for developing long-term military strategies, planning operations and drawing up recommendations for the country’s senior military leadership.
Initially, sources attributed the general’s dismissal to a loss of confidence on the part of the leadership Pentagon. Subsequently, a senior defence ministry official told journalists that the general was suspected of passing on classified information to the American media.
According to the official, the information concerned US military operations against Iran, Russia’s war against Ukraine and other national security issues.
A Pentagon spokesperson claims that Gagset took the decision on the grounds of serious disciplinary breaches. However, detailed evidence of a possible leak has not been made public.
Polygraph tests have sparked controversy
According to CBS News, a Pentagon spokesperson stated that Brett Silvia allegedly failed a polygraph test on three occasions concerning the possible disclosure of classified information.
At the same time, two other sources at the American television channel confirmed that the dismissal was linked to the investigations, but denied the validity of the allegations against the general.
So, the report on the polygraph results and involvement Sylvia’s The origins of this issue remain a subject of debate within the Ministry of Defence.
The general himself had not issued a public statement at the time of publication. Journalists from the Associated Press tried to contact him by telephone, email and via social media, but received no reply.
The Pentagon has handed over the investigation files to the US Department of Justice
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed that, following a wide-ranging investigation by the US Air Force’s Special Investigations Office, the agency had taken personnel measures to protect classified information.
In a statement published on the social media platform X, he emphasised that the unauthorised disclosure of state secrets is unacceptable.
At the same time, Parnell did not name Brett Sylvia directly and declined to disclose any details of the investigation.
A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed that the case files, along with other cases of possible information leaks, had been forwarded to the US Department of Justice for consideration of further legal action.
This does not mean that criminal charges will automatically be brought. Decisions regarding possible prosecution must be taken by the competent authorities.
Who is Brett Silvia and what is known about his career?
Prior to his appointment to the Joint Staff, Brett Silvia commanded the US Army’s 101st Airborne Division, which is stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
During his 32 years of service, the general took part in military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. His honours include six Bronze Star medals and a Purple Heart, which are awarded to American service personnel who have been wounded or killed in action.
To begin with, representatives of the Joint Staff thanked the general for his many years of service and wished him every success in his life after retirement.
However, this statement was subsequently withdrawn, on the grounds that it did not fully reflect the circumstances surrounding the staffing decision.
Sylvia’s dismissal marked yet another change in the US military’s top leadership during her tenure Pete Hagseth as Minister of Defence.
As of 29 October 2026, the general’s dismissal has been confirmed, and the case files concerning a possible leak of classified information have been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice. No official conclusion has been reached regarding his criminal liability. Further developments in the case will depend on the outcome of the investigation by the US law enforcement agencies.
