Three Pentagon Officials Suspended Amid Defense Department Leak Probe
Investigation follows alleged unauthorized disclosures of sensitive information
Three senior Pentagon officials have been placed on administrative leave as part of an investigation into unauthorized disclosures of sensitive information from the Department of Defense. Dan Caldwell and Darin Selnick, both advisers to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, were escorted out of the Pentagon by security on Tuesday. Colin Carroll, chief of staff for Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg, received similar treatment on Wednesday, marking the third official to be suspended.
The investigation reportedly concerns leaks of sensitive information including military operational plans for the Panama Canal, the pause on collecting intelligence for Ukraine, and details about Elon Musk's meeting at the Pentagon. The probe was initiated in March by Joe Kasper, Hegseth's chief of staff, who ordered an investigation into unauthorized disclosures. Some sources have characterized the situation as a purge of officials who had disagreements with Kasper, suggesting internal conflicts within the department's leadership.
KEY POINTS
- •Three Pentagon officials suspended
- •Probe concerns sensitive info leaks
- •Democrats call for Hegseth resignation
This incident follows a previous controversy known as Signalgate, creating mounting pressure on Defense Secretary Hegseth's leadership. Democratic lawmakers have intensified calls for Hegseth's resignation, with Representative Daniel Goldman stating on social media that this represents the second major breach of classified information under Hegseth's brief two-month tenure. Goldman further criticized Hegseth's appointment and characterized him as a national security threat.
The Pentagon has not provided official details about the specific nature of the leaked information or the timeline for completing the investigation. The suspension of three high-ranking officials within such a short timeframe represents a significant disruption in Pentagon operations during the early months of President Trump's second administration. The Defense Department faces the challenge of maintaining operational security while addressing what appears to be internal discord among its leadership team.