Hegseth Fired a Top General. The Pentagon Claims He Was Leaking Classified Information.

The Pentagon fired a general and made a criminal referral regarding the potential disclosure of national security information.

The Washington Post reported that Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia was removed from his position on Thursday, with Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirming that the Pentagon had made a criminal referral.

"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."

Parnell went on to say that an "extensive" Air Force investigation 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 added. "Leaking it 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."

Parnell's statement did not name Sylvia, but the Washington Post reported that officials confirmed the connection between the statement and Sylvia's dismissal. The newspaper added that peers of Sylvia said that he had privately denied leaking classified information but did admit having contacts with journalists.

USA TODAY reported that Sylvia's removal by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth initially was done without any explanation. The staff of Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, released a statement saying: "We wish him and his family the best as they graduate to new opportunities and the next chapters of their lives." However, the office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff then tried to retract the statement.

It is the second time in a year that a general is ousted from the post, known as "J5," considering that Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee was forced to retire in October 2025. Whoever holds the post is responsible for creating and coordinating military plans with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the president.