Pentagon Fires Three Officials in Leak Investigation
Defense Secretary Hegseth removes staff following probe into sensitive information leaks
The Department of Defense has terminated three officials and reassigned another following an internal investigation into alleged leaks of sensitive information. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's former senior adviser Dan Caldwell and deputy chief of staff Dan Selnick were fired, while chief of staff Joe Kaspar was reassigned to a different position. Colin Carroll, chief of staff for Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg, was placed on administrative leave as part of the same action.
The investigation, which included polygraph tests, was launched in March to identify sources of sensitive information leaked to media outlets. The probe examined several reported leaks, including military plans regarding the Panama Canal, deployment of an aircraft carrier to the Red Sea, and halting intelligence collection related to Ukraine. Officials also denied media reports claiming that Department of Government Efficiency Director Elon Musk would attend a classified Pentagon meeting about potential war with China.
KEY POINTS
- •Three Pentagon officials fired
- •Leak investigation continues
- •Legal challenges expected
According to reports from multiple news outlets, at least two of the terminated officials have secured legal representation to file wrongful termination claims. Sources indicated that Secretary Hegseth identified advisers who allegedly did not support his leadership at the Defense Department. The investigation is ongoing and examining other potential unauthorized disclosures to news media, with additional personnel actions possible pending Hegseth's approval.
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