Army Secretary Resignation and Pentagon Leadership Changes Amid Policy Disputes

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has resigned following disagreements with Pentagon policies. President Donald Trump has appointed Adam Telle to serve as the acting secretary. This move comes amid significant changes in Pentagon leadership.

War Secretary Pete Hegseth has also dismissed one of the Pentagon’s top strategic planners. The official was involved in an investigation concerning leaked classified information related to military operations in Iran, Russia’s actions in Ukraine, and other sensitive topics. This information was provided by a Department of War official to Fox News.

The official revealed that Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia did not pass three polygraph tests linked to these alleged leaks. The matter has escalated to the Justice Department for further investigation. Sylvia allegedly met with journalists outside the Pentagon to leak this information. These meetings reportedly took place after Hegseth introduced new media restrictions, mandating that reporters be accompanied while inside the Pentagon building.

HEGSETH ANNOUNCES JOINT TASK FORCE WITH DOJ TO PROSECUTE LEAKS TO JOURNALISTS ‘WITH THE FULL FORCE OF THE LAW’

Fox News Digital reached out to both the DOJ and Sylvia for comments, but received no response at the time of publication. Sylvia served as the director of the Joint Staff’s Directorate for Strategy, Plans and Policy, also known as the J5. His role included developing military strategies and advising the chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Since the spring, the J5 has been sidelined from its key duties, according to sources speaking to Fox News.

The Department of War official clarified that Sylvia was not directly involved in planning for the Iran war, a responsibility of the U.S. Central Command under Adm. Brad Cooper. The Atlantic first reported Sylvia’s removal, noting that Secretary Hegseth lost confidence in the general due to ongoing tensions with Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby.

Sylvia is the second leader of the J5 to be dismissed under Hegseth, following Lt. Gen. John McGee earlier this year. Additionally, Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, former director of the Joint Staff, was also removed.

These leadership adjustments occur as the Pentagon considers renewed military activities targeting Iran. Reports indicate that U.S. officials have advised allies in the Middle East to brace for potential retaliatory strikes from Iran after upcoming elections. Further U.S. troop deployments to the region are anticipated.

Brett Sylvia, a 1994 West Point graduate, has over three decades of Army service, including multiple deployments and combat injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan. Before his J5 appointment in December, Sylvia commanded the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell and previously worked as the J5’s vice director.

Under Hegseth’s leadership, nearly two dozen senior military officials have been removed or have exited their roles, reflecting a significant turnover in Pentagon leadership.