Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia was fired this week by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth following an Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) probe into the unauthorized disclosure of classified information to reporters.

Sylvia, the Pentagon’s top military strategist and Director for Strategy, Plans and Policy (J5), admitted to leaking classified information about Ukraine and Iran to two reporters from separate outlets over a one-year period, according to Axios.

The outlet cited a U.S. official to report that “the career soldier acknowledged [the allegations] on video after he failed four polygraph tests,” and the report accused him of making “unauthorized disclosures to the media.”

In addition, Sylvia reportedly “admitted to being one of the 20 officials” who attacked Pentagon leadership under Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump.

The Pentagon has referred the case to the Department of Justice for potential criminal prosecution.

Assistant to the Secretary of War for Public Affairs Sean Parnell released a statement on X.

“The Department of War has zero tolerance for the intentional, unauthorized disclosure of classified information. Anyone who compromises sensitive national security information puts the lives of our Warriors at risk and undermines every military operation that keeps our country safe,” Parnell said. “Following an extensive Air Force OSI investigation, the Department took necessary personnel action to protect sensitive information. To protect the integrity of the investigation, no further comment will be made regarding the individual or the circumstances of this action.”

The Department of War has zero tolerance for the intentional, unauthorized disclosure of classified information. Anyone who compromises sensitive national security information puts the lives of our Warriors at risk and undermines every military operation that keeps our country safe.

Following an extensive Air Force OSI investigation, the Department took necessary personnel action to protect sensitive information. To protect the integrity of the investigation, no further comment will be made regarding the individual or the circumstances of this action.

This matter, along with others, have been referred to the Justice Department for potential further legal action.

Classified information is not personal property. Leaking it for personal, political or professional gain is a betrayal of the trust placed in those responsible for keeping it.

Our commitment was not an empty promise. We vowed to find you, and we meant it.

— Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellASW) October 29, 2026

“This matter, along with others, have been referred to the Justice Department for potential further legal action,” he continued. “Classified information is not personal property. Leaking it for personal, political or professional gain is a betrayal of the trust placed in those responsible for keeping it.

“Our commitment was not an empty promise. We vowed to find you, and we meant it.”

Here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story, as seen on X:

He never should have been made colonel. DEI.

— I Work For Food (@AJJ1563) October 29, 2026

There are traitors all over the government

— HQJ (@223HQJ556) October 30, 2026

George Washington used to hang deserters and traitors

— Bill Speros (@billsperos) October 30, 2026

If he were a normal Joe he would be in pre trial confinement. He needs to be locked up until trial.

— Jerin Wolflone (@jerinwolflone) October 29, 2026

@axios, I believe your writers confused the term “top military planner” with “treasonous POS” pic.twitter.com/mZYPbwCLmN

— RAK (@rk9712246) October 30, 2026