Higgsith dismisses military planning chief Brett Sylvia over alleged leak
The Pentagon has removed Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, director of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Staff (G-5), after an investigation into alleged leaks of classified information about the war with Iran.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Higgsith dismissed Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia from his post as director of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Staff, known as "G-5," following an investigation into alleged leaks of classified information, U.S. defense officials confirmed Wednesday and Thursday, October 28 and 29, 2026.
Accusations of leaking information about the war with Iran
A Defense Department official said Sylvia is accused of leaking classified information related to the war on Iran and the Russia-Ukraine war to the media, adding that he failed three lie-detection tests about exchanging classified information with the press, and that the case has been referred to the Department of Justice.
Pentagon: No further comment
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a Thursday statement, without naming Sylvia, that the department took "the necessary action against an employee to protect sensitive information" after an extensive investigation by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, confirming the matter was referred with other cases to the Department of Justice and stressing that classified information "is not personal property."
The Joint Chiefs of Staff had issued an initial statement expressing appreciation for Sylvia's service, before retracting it and saying it did not fully reflect the circumstances, and have otherwise declined to comment out of respect for ongoing procedures.
Second removal from the same post
Sylvia is the second general removed from the G-5 post under Higgsith, after his predecessor, Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee, was forced to retire in October 2025. No successor has been named so far.
Sylvia previously commanded the 101st Airborne Division and served in Iraq and Afghanistan during a 32-year military career.
Sensitive timing amid threats of new strikes
The dismissal comes as U.S. President Donald Trump is considering resuming strikes on Iran after the midterm elections scheduled for November 3, in a war that has entered its eighth month.
