Fired Top U.S. General Is Accused Of Leaking Classified Material To Reporters About Ukraine And Iran

A fired general allegedly leaked information to reporters and could face a court-martial.

Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia was removed from his position last week by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. At the same time, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that a criminal referral had been made to the Justice Department over the potential disclosure of classified information.

"The Department of War has zero tolerance for the intentional, unauthorized disclosure of classified information," Parnell stated. "Anyone who compromises sensitive national security information puts the lives of our Warriors at risk and undermines every military operation that keeps our country safe."

It has been previously reported that although Sylvia admitted to speaking to reporters, he denied sharing classified or sensitive material with them.

Axios reported that Sylvia, who served as the military's top planner, allegedly leaked information to The Wall Street Journal's Michael Gordon and The New York Times' Greg Jaffe beginning in 2025. The website reported that most of the allegations involve contacts with Gordon.

Axios reported that Sylvia failed four polygraph tests and admitted to having contacts with the reporters during two hours of interviews that were recorded. The contacts were specifically about ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran.

According to the outlet, after the Wall Street Journal was barred from the Pentagon, Sylvia met Gordon at a diner and discussed military assistance for Ukraine. Sylvia told investigators that he was "comfortable" with the information that he had shared with Gordon on the topic.

In his statement, Parnell referenced an "extensive" investigation that precipitated Sylvia's dismissal.

"To protect the integrity of the investigation, no further comment will be made regarding the individual or the circumstances of this action. This matter, along with others, have been referred to the Justice Department for potential further legal action," Parnell stated.

"Leaking it (classified material) for personal, political or professional gain is a betrayal of the trust placed in those responsible for keeping it. Our commitment was not an empty promise," he stated.