U.S. Justice Department joins probe into alleged Pentagon information leaks

The Pentagon has taken personnel action following an investigation into the unauthorised disclosure of classified information and has referred the matter to the U.S. Department of Justice for possible legal action, according to a statement from the Defense Department.

Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesman, said the action followed an extensive investigation conducted by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI).

He did not identify the individual involved or provide specific details about the allegations, citing the need to preserve the integrity of the ongoing process.

“Following an extensive Air Force OSI investigation, the Department took necessary personnel action to protect sensitive information,” Parnell said in a statement posted on X.

He added that the case, along with other matters involving suspected leaks, had been referred to the Department of Justice.

“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,” Parnell said.

Reports link investigation to senior military strategist

Although the Pentagon did not publicly identify the officer involved, a U.S. defence official familiar with the matter told The Washington Post that the statement was connected to the removal of Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia.

Sylvia recently led the Pentagon's Directorate for Strategy, Plans and Policy, commonly known as the J-5, one of the most influential strategic planning positions within the U.S. military. In that role, he reported directly to General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Media reports earlier this week indicated that Pete Hegseth, the U.S. defense secretary, had removed Sylvia from his post.

According to reports from CBS News and Fox News, citing an unnamed Pentagon official, Sylvia was accused of leaking classified information relating to the wars involving Iran and Ukraine.

The Pentagon has not publicly presented evidence supporting those allegations.

Sylvia reportedly denied accusations

One colleague of Sylvia's told The Washington Post that the lieutenant general had repeatedly rejected accusations that he disclosed classified material.

The colleague said Sylvia acknowledged maintaining contact with journalists in the course of his duties but denied providing classified information.

The Justice Department separately confirmed that investigations into possible unauthorised disclosures remain active and said it is coordinating with federal agencies, including the Pentagon.

The handling of Sylvia's departure has drawn attention after an unusual reversal by the office of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

On Wednesday, General Caine's office issued a public statement thanking Sylvia for 32 years of military service.

However, the statement was withdrawn the following day.

In a revised explanation, the office said the original message did not adequately reflect the circumstances surrounding the personnel action.

“Out of respect for the servicemember and the ongoing personnel process, we will not comment further,” the office said.

The Pentagon has not publicly clarified what prompted the change.

Wider investigation into leaks

Sylvia's removal comes amid a broader effort by the Defense Department to identify the source of unauthorised disclosures concerning military operations and national security matters.

According to The Washington Post, dozens of military officers were subjected to polygraph examinations during the conflict involving Iran as investigators attempted to determine whether classified information had been shared with journalists.

The report suggested the leak investigations have become one of the most extensive internal security efforts undertaken by the Pentagon in recent years.

The case also emerges amid a series of high-profile personnel changes under Defense Secretary Hegseth.

Several senior officers have been dismissed or reassigned in recent months, in some instances without public explanations.

Critics have questioned the lack of transparency surrounding some of those moves, while Defense Department officials have argued that personnel decisions are being made in the interests of national security and institutional accountability.

Neither the Pentagon nor the Justice Department has announced criminal charges, and officials have declined to provide additional details while the investigations continue.

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