Hegseth fires Pentagon's top military planner Sylvia

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 06:33 · Archive

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired Army Lt Gen Brett Sylvia, the Pentagon's top military planner.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired Army Lt Gen Brett Sylvia, who headed strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The role, known in military circles as the J5, typically involves generating and coordinating military plans with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the president.

Sylvia is the second general to be ousted from the post under Hegseth. His predecessor, Lt Gen Joseph McGee, was forced to retire last October. The Pentagon has given no official reason for Sylvia's removal and said there is no immediate replacement.

The Daily Mail reports that Sylvia became the subject of an investigation for leaking classified information about the Iran war and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Authorities allege he met with journalists outside the Pentagon building to circumvent the department's policy requiring an escort when journalists are present. A Pentagon official told the outlet that while Sylvia's title made him technically responsible for military planning, the Iran war's direct planning falls to CENTCOM and its commander Admiral Brad Cooper.

The firing comes as President Trump weighs renewed strikes on Iran in the eight-month-old war. Trump has said new military operations are an option after next week's midterm elections, and US officials have told regional allies to prepare for potential action.

How it is being reported

• Hegseth reportedly fires U.S. top military planner as Trump downplays Iran peace talksLieutenant General Brett Sylvia was removed as head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.CNBC · 29 Oct, 07:35
• Reports: Hegseth removes top general amid sweeping Pentagon overhaulDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed a top general from his post, according to reports.UPI · 29 Oct, 06:47
• Hegseth fires top Pentagon war planner Brett Sylvia in latest military shake-upArmy Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia is the second general to be ousted from the post under Hegseth.New York Post · 29 Oct, 06:20
• Hegseth ousts top military planner at Pentagon as Trump considers launching strikes on Iran after midtermsDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired the Pentagon's top military planner, a defense official said Wednesday, as President Trump weighs renewed strikes on Iran in the eight-month-long war.Daily Mail · 29 Oct, 04:05

In this story: Pete Hegseth · Brett Sylvia · Donald Trump · Joint Chiefs of Staff · Pentagon · Iran

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log