Hegseth fires the Pentagon's top war planner, the second general to be ousted from the post under his leadership

Pete Hegseth, whose Pentagon has referred the firing of Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia to the Department of Justice after Sylvia allegedly failed three polygraph tests over classified leaks.

Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia was fired by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week after allegedly failing three polygraph tests over claims he leaked classified information about the Iran war and the Russia-Ukraine conflict to journalists. Sylvia had served as director of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff — known as the J5 — and had 32 years of distinguished service. The Pentagon's Department of Justice has been notified for further action, with Hegseth declaring the threat to national security so urgent it "could not wait another second."

Sylvia is the SECOND general ousted from the J5 role under Hegseth; his predecessor Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee was forced to retire last October.

The firing comes as CENTCOM has drawn up Iran strike plans potentially authorised after next Tuesday's midterm elections, with a third US aircraft carrier now heading to the region.

No replacement for Sylvia has been named, leaving the Pentagon's top war-planning post vacant at a critical moment.

Daily MailHegseth ousts top Army Lieutenant from Joint Chiefs of Staff NY PostHegseth fires top Pentagon war planner Brett Sylvia in latest military shake-up UPIReports: Hegseth removes top general amid sweeping Pentagon overhaul The HillHegseth ousted top military strategist from Pentagon, sources say Raw StoryPete Hegseth leaves Pentagon brass guessing after firing another top general: report Washington TimesPete Hegseth fires top military planner Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia

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