Former Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia, the former director of strategic planning at the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, admitted during an internal investigation that he leaked classified information concerning Ukraine and Iran to journalists from two different media organizations over a period of approximately one year, according to Axios.
Citing the investigation report, Axios said Sylvia acknowledged sharing the information during a videotaped interview, after failing four polygraph tests.
The alleged leaks began in June 2025, with the general reportedly using the encrypted messaging application Signal to communicate with the journalists. He also met one of them in person at a restaurant in Arlington, Virginia.
During that meeting, Sylvia reportedly shared information about US military assistance to Ukraine, relying on notes he had taken while reviewing a classified report.
Axios also reported that one of the journalists contacted Sylvia regarding Iran. The former general said he could not clearly recall the contents of the message and did not respond to it. He claimed he had deleted the message and that the entire conversation history had disappeared accidentally.
According to the investigation, US officials suspect the deletion of the correspondence may have been deliberate. However, the report said Sylvia cooperated with investigators and handed over his personal phone for a digital forensic examination.
General Dismissed as Case Referred to Justice Department
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth dismissed Sylvia from his position earlier this week. The Atlantic magazine, citing sources, reported that Hegseth’s loss of confidence in the general and disagreements with Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby were among the possible reasons for his removal.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 29, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said measures had been taken to protect sensitive information following an extensive investigation by the US Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
Parnell added that the case had been referred to the Department of Justice for consideration of possible legal action.
Meanwhile, The Washington Post quoted one of Sylvia’s colleagues as saying that the former general repeatedly denied leaking classified information, despite acknowledging that he had communicated with journalists.
