Pentagon Adviser Dan Caldwell suspended amid leak probe
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The internal investigation follows a March 21 directive issued by Hegseth's chief of staff, Joe Kasper, calling for a thorough review of recent leaks.
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The Pentagon is seen in this aerial view through an airplane window in Washington on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025 (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Dan Caldwell, a senior adviser to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has been placed on administrative leave as the Department of Defense investigates an unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing an official familiar with the matter.
Sources indicate that Caldwell was escorted out of the Pentagon earlier this week, marking a serious escalation in an internal probe launched to address recent leaks of classified or sensitive material. His removal follows a directive issued on March 21 by Hegseth's chief of staff, Joe Kasper, which called for a sweeping review of security protocols and potential breaches. The memo reportedly mentioned the use of polygraphs to identify the source of the leaks, though it remains unclear whether Caldwell underwent such testing.
Caldwell had been closely involved in recent national security discussions, serving as Hegseth's main liaison with the National Security Council. Notably, he played a role in the planning of US military aggression against Resistance forces in Yemen—details of which were reportedly discussed in a leaked Signal messaging thread first reported by The Atlantic.
While the Pentagon has not yet disclosed what information was allegedly leaked or to whom it was sent, the ongoing investigation suggests the matter is being treated as a serious breach. Caldwell's access to classified materials has been suspended pending the outcome.
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