Pentagon Sends Criminal Referral to DOJ After Firing of Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia

The Department of Defense has referred the termination of Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia to the Justice Department for potential criminal action after Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth accused the officer of leaking classified material. Sylvia, who served as the director for strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Staff, was removed on Oct. 28 without an initial explanation.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell posted on X that the department took "necessary personnel action to protect sensitive information" and that the case, among others, had been referred to the Justice Department for possible further legal action. A Justice Department spokesperson confirmed ongoing investigations into alleged leaks of classified information and said the agency works closely with its government partners, including the Department of War.

President Donald Trump addressed the firing to reporters on Oct. 29, stating, "> Sylvia is gonna have big problems. We're very much looking for leakers."

Sylvia did not comment on the allegations. The dismissal marked the latest in a series of senior officer removals during Hegseth’s tenure, which has seen roughly two dozen high-ranking officers fired or forced into retirement as the Pentagon seeks to reduce the number of general and admiral positions.

In his role, Sylvia reported to Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Caine’s staff initially issued a statement thanking Sylvia for his 32 years of service, but later retracted it. The Pentagon has intensified efforts to curb media leaks, including administering polygraph tests to senior leaders.

Parnell emphasized the department’s stance, writing, "> 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."

Earlier in 2025, three Pentagon officials were dismissed in a separate leak investigation but were not referred for criminal prosecution. One of those aides, Dan Caldwell, later returned to a role in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.