Hegseth fires Joint Staff planning chief Brett Sylvia; unnamed Pentagon official alleges leaks

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, the director of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a defense official said Wednesday, Oct. 28. The post is known inside the military as the J5.

A spokesman for Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine confirmed Sylvia is leaving. By Wednesday evening his official biography had been removed from the Joint Chiefs website. ABC News reported, citing two people familiar with the matter, that Sylvia has retired.

A second J5 ousted under Hegseth

Sylvia is the second J5 director removed under Hegseth. Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee was forced to retire last October.

The defense official who confirmed the firing to the Associated Press spoke on condition of anonymity and said there is no immediate replacement and no reason has been given. The Atlantic reported the move first.

A Joint Staff spokesperson offered only thanks: "The Chairman, the Joint Staff, and the Joint Force extend our deepest gratitude to Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia and his family for their 32 years of distinguished service to our nation."

Sylvia commanded the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, until May 2025, and earlier served as vice director of the J5. CNN reported he was nominated for the J5 job by then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin near the end of the Biden administration.

Hegseth's tenure has seen nearly two dozen generals, admirals and other senior leaders fired, forced to retire or otherwise depart, almost all without a public explanation from the Pentagon. The list includes the civilian secretaries of the Army and Navy.

Last month Hegseth ordered the cuts to the overall number of top officers doubled, to a 20% reduction by Jan. 1, 2027. The military has roughly 800 flag and general officer positions. "I call it accountability and long overdue," he told junior officers and enlisted leaders.

The leak allegation

A Defense Department official later gave a reason, speaking to One America News Network correspondent Alexandra Ingersoll, according to the Daily Mail's account. The official was not named.

That official alleged Sylvia was under investigation for leaking classified information about the Iran war and the Russia-Ukraine war. The official said he met journalists outside the building to get around the rule that a journalist must have an escort at all times.

"Sylvia failed three polygraphs which questioned him about leaking classified information," the official said. The official said the investigation is ongoing and has been referred to the Justice Department "for further action." Hegseth acted, the official said, because the leaking "became so critical" that "urgent action was needed and could not wait another second."

The official also pushed back on the idea that the firing disrupts Iran war planning. Sylvia "was NOT a central planner for the Iran War," the official said. That job belongs to U.S. Central Command and its commander, Adm. Brad Cooper.

These are allegations from one anonymous official. No charges have been announced, and the Pentagon has not put any of it on the record. Hegseth's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the AP and CNN. Sylvia's side of the story has not been made public.

The Iran backdrop

The firing lands eight months into the war with Iran that Trump launched with Israel. Trump has vowed to "finish the job" and has said new strikes are an option after the midterm elections on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Two diplomats told the AP that U.S. officials have told several Middle East countries and regional allies to prepare for possible renewed U.S. military action after the election, and for possible Iranian retaliation against them. The diplomats said Trump has not made a final decision. A third U.S. aircraft carrier and thousands more troops are headed to the region.

Two U.S. officials told CNN earlier this week that forces in the region could launch new, potentially major operations within 96 hours of receiving an order from Trump. "It will be a big effort," one said. Other current and former officials told CNN it is a question of when, not if, and that an order could come any time before year's end, most likely after the midterms.

A diplomatic track is also moving. The Wall Street Journal reported that Vice President JD Vance sent a letter to Iran engaging one of its most powerful hard-liners to revive peace negotiations. Trump downplayed the talks to reporters: "They need help with medical supplies and various things," he said, adding that when he was asked what he thought, "I said, 'If you want to do that, that's OK.'"

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X late Wednesday that Iran "continues to give diplomacy a chance to succeed." He said Tehran is in contact with intermediaries on its 7-Day Plan, proposed last month. Under it, Iran says the Strait of Hormuz could reopen to normal commercial shipping and negotiations with Washington could resume if conditions are met. Those conditions reportedly include ending hostilities and releasing frozen Iranian assets.

What remains open

The Pentagon official's account and the absence of any on-record explanation are the only pieces on the table. Whether the Justice Department opens a case against Sylvia is unknown, and so is who takes over the J5. In the past, the deputy or vice director of the relevant directorate has filled such a vacancy temporarily until a nominee is chosen. The next marker is Nov. 3, after which Trump's decision on renewed strikes comes into focus.