Pentagon Officials Suspended Amid Classified Information Leak Probe

Two Department of Defense officials have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into unauthorized disclosure of information. Dan Caldwell, a senior adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, was escorted from the Pentagon on Tuesday, while Darin Selnick, the Pentagon's deputy chief of staff, was also suspended as part of the same probe. According to sources, Caldwell is accused of sharing classified documents with reporters.

The suspensions follow a directive issued in late March by Hegseth's chief of staff Joe Kasper, ordering an investigation into unauthorized disclosures at the Pentagon. The memo authorized the use of lie detector tests if deemed necessary during the investigation. Additional personnel removals are reportedly being discussed as the probe into Defense Department leaks continues, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

Caldwell previously worked at Defense Priorities, a foreign policy think tank, and Concerned Veterans for America, an organization formerly led by Secretary Hegseth. He served in the Marine Corps and is an Iraq War veteran. Caldwell was mentioned in a recent article by The Atlantic that revealed text messages about strikes against the Houthis, where he reportedly represented the Defense Department in communications.

The investigation coincides with separate controversies involving the Pentagon. On the same day Kasper's memo was issued, both the Pentagon and White House denied reports that Elon Musk was visiting the Pentagon to receive briefings on potential war plans with China. Although the Trump administration has stated Musk holds no official role at the Department of Government Efficiency, he has reportedly been heavily involved with the agency and attended several Cabinet meetings with President Trump.

The Pentagon has not provided specific details about the nature of the leaked information or the full scope of the investigation. The administrative leaves represent significant disciplinary actions within the Defense Department's leadership structure. The investigation highlights ongoing tensions regarding information security and proper channels for communication within the current administration.