Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon purge continues as top general is removed over alleged leaks
One of many
An ABC News article published on October 29, 2026, reported that Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia, who served as Director for Strategy, Plans & Policy on the Joint Staff, was fired by United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. ABC revealed that a reportedly familiar source divulged that Sylvia was ousted due to a loss of faith.
However, ABC reported that new information disclosed by a Pentagon officer in a statement to ABC News revealed that Hegseth had fired Sylvia following an investigation that apparently found Sylvia was leaking classified information to the press about various confidential aspects of the Pentagon, including the war in Iran, the war in Ukraine, and others.
ABC News noted that Sylvia’s case has been referred to the Justice Department. Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesperson and assistant to the Secretary of Defense for public affairs, confirmed this in a social media post without naming Sylvia. He wrote, “Following an extensive Air Force OSI investigation, the Department took necessary personnel action to protect sensitive information…This matter, along with others, have been referred to the Justice Department for potential further legal action.”
Sylvia apparently had to be fired immediately
A senior Pentagon official, speaking to Reuters, alleged that Sylvia had failed three polygraph tests related to leaking classified information. Discussing the urgency of Sylvia’s dismissal, the official stated, “The extent of his leaks became so critical that Secretary Hegseth took immediate action and fired Sylvia to protect national security. Urgent action was needed and could not wait another moment.”
However, the Washington Post reported that one of Sylvia’s colleagues claimed he had consistently denied leaking sensitive information. Nonetheless, the colleague acknowledged that Sylvia had not denied speaking to members of the press on previous occasions.
Addressing questions about Sylvia’s dismissal, President Donald Trump said, “She’s got problems,” then warned, “She’s gonna have big problems,” while appearing to refer to her as a female by mistake. He added, “We’re very much looking for leakers. And she’s going to have big problems, long-term problems.”
Hegseth’s Pentagon cuts have been marked by a series of dismissals
Hegseth’s Pentagon shakeup promises have been marked by several firings in the past couple of years. CBS News compiled a list of military and civilian leaders who were fired, forced to resign, or voluntarily resigned since Hegseth assumed his current role and published it in an article on September 2, 2026.
Some of the names on the list were Navy Admiral Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations (allegedly abruptly fired by Hegseth without explanation); General Randy George, Army chief of staff (supposedly asked by Hegseth to retire immediately); and General Christopher Donahue, head of U.S. Army Europe and Africa (apparently asked by Hegseth to retire early). Other names included John Phelan, Navy secretary, and Dan Driscoll, Army secretary, both of whom purportedly left their positions in 2026.
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