US Department of Defense Pentagon has removed Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia from his post. He is accused of passing intelligence on Iran war, Russia-Ukraine war and other sensitive matters to journalists. A Pentagon official has claimed that Sylvia failed three polygraph tests on the question of leaking information. A polygraph test is commonly called a lie detector test.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed Sylvia from the post of Chief of Strategy, Planning and Policy at the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The general and his team working at this post prepare the army plan. He prepares and coordinates military plans for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the President. Criminal action is recommended against Sylvia.

The case will be tried in a normal court

Initially, Sylvia was not given a reason for removal. Later, a Pentagon official said on condition of anonymity that he was being investigated for allegedly passing classified information to reporters. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said on social media that the move was taken to protect sensitive information. The case has been referred to the Department of Justice for further legal action. However, it is not clear why the General is set to be tried in an ordinary court instead of a military court.

When President Donald Trump was asked about this on Thursday, he said that Sylvia would face great difficulties. However, he mistakenly referred to the woman as a male general. Trump said the administration is looking for those who leaked classified information.

President Trump on Pentagon director for strategy, Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, for allegedly leaking information: “She’s going to have big problems…We’re very much looking for the leakers.”

— CSPAN (@cspan) October 29, 2026

Stayed in army for 32 years, received many honors

Sylvia was the commander of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky until May 2025. Before this, he has also been the Deputy Director in the same office, from which post he has been removed. His official biography has been removed from the website. He earned six Bronze Star medals, including one for valor. He also received the Purple Heart Medal for being wounded in battle.

The Joint Staff issued a statement on Wednesday thanking him for his 32 years of service. But this statement was retracted on Thursday. Officials said that on re-examination, it was found that the statement did not contain correct information about the entire case.

Earlier also the officials were accused of leaking

During Hegseth’s tenure, several officials have been prosecuted for leaking classified information. Last year, he also fired three colleagues. A polygraph test was also conducted in this case. The trio denied the allegations and said that baseless rumors were spread against them. One of these, Dan Caldwell, was later appointed to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has also increased restrictions on access to journalists. Journalists are now required to accompany the officer in the premises. The Pentagon’s press office has also been declared a classified site, where reporters are not allowed.