Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia fired by War Secretary Pete Hegseth

War Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the firing of Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia from the Joint Chiefs of Staff for leaking classified information.

The far-left Atlantic reported on Sylvia’s firing, labeling him “the Pentagon’s chief planner” and claiming that “no explanation was given” for his ouster.

The report further claims that his departure “comes at an inopportune moment, given that President Trump may be planning to relaunch the war on Iran.”

“Now is not the time when you’d want to lose the J5,” a former Joint Chiefs of Staff official told the Atlantic. “This person would serve as a critical link between the operational force, the department policy, and the White House.”

However, a Department of War official told The Gateway Pundit that Sylvia was fired for “severe misconduct,” including leaking classified information on the Iran and Russia-Ukraine wars.

He even circumvented the Pentagon’s new media policy by “meeting with journalists outside of the Pentagon in order to leak classified information.” He now faces a criminal referral to the Department of Justice.

Regarding the Atlantic’s claims that he was a central planner in Iran war operations, the official said, “Although Sylvia’s title was director of the Directorate for Strategy, Plans, and Policy at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, known inside the military as the J5, he was NOT a central planner for the Iran War.” They added, “That is the responsibility of CENTCOM and its commander Admiral Cooper.”

The official said,

“Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia, who was part of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was fired by Secretary Hegseth for severe misconduct. Although Sylvia’s title was director of the Directorate for Strategy, Plans, and Policy at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, known inside the military as the J5, he was NOT a central planner for the Iran War. That is the responsibility of CENTCOM and its commander Admiral Cooper.

Sylvia is the subject of an investigation for leaking classified information about the Iran War, the war between Russia and Ukraine, and more. Due to the Pentagon’s media policy requiring journalists to have escorts in the building, Sylvia began meeting with journalists outside of the Pentagon in order to leak classified information.

Sylvia failed three polygraphs which questioned him about leaking classified information. The investigation into him remains ongoing and has been referred to the Department of Justice for further action. The extent of his leaking became so critical that Secretary Hegseth took immediate action and fired Sylvia in order to protect national security. Urgent action was needed and could not wait another second.”

Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell also commented on Sylvia’s firing:

The Department of War has zero tolerance for the intentional, unauthorized disclosure of classified information. 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.

Following an extensive Air Force OSI investigation, the Department took necessary personnel action to protect sensitive information. 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.

Classified information is not personal property. 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. We vowed to find you, and we meant it.