Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City
Al-Qassam: We will postpone the handover of the body of the Israeli captive we found, which was scheduled for today, due to the occupation's violations
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation aircraft launch airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip
Netanyahu's office: At the end of the security consultations, the prime minister instructed the military to launch massive military strikes on the Gaza Strip immediately
President Aoun: We urge the activation of the monitoring committee, the cessation of hostilities, ongoing Israeli violations, attacks
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to US Envoy Morgan Ortagus: Southerners must be enabled to return to their homes and rebuild
Syrian sources: The Israeli occupation has begun withdrawing from the areas it infiltrated last night in the Quneitra countryside.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Massive bombings in eastern Gaza, the second within half an hour, and its sound was heard from central area.
Russian air defense units destroyed a drone that was heading toward Moscow.
Maduro: Tomorrow, a business meeting will be held bringing together hundreds of entrepreneurs from advanced Russian industries with hundreds of Venezuelan businesspeople.

Were they scapegoats? Pentagon officials fired without cause

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 20 Apr 2025 13:03
3 Min Read

Three senior Pentagon officials say they were fired without explanation amid a reported leak investigation, raising concerns about transparency and due process.

Listen
  • x
  • The Pentagon is seen from Air Force One as it flies over Washington, March 2, 2022. (AP)The Pentagon is seen from Air Force One as it flies over Washington, on March 2, 2022. (AP)

Three senior Pentagon officials who were reportedly fired in connection with a Pentagon leak investigation say they were never informed of any charges or even whether a formal probe was underway. The lack of clarity has drawn criticism over the handling of the matter within the Department of Defense.

Dan Caldwell, a senior advisor; Darin Selnick, deputy chief of staff to the defense secretary; and Colin Carroll, chief of staff to the deputy defense secretary, were all reportedly dismissed on Friday, according to Politico. The three released a joint statement on X expressing frustration over their termination and the surrounding circumstances.

Joint statement from Dan Caldwell, Colin Carroll, and Darin Selnick:

We are incredibly disappointed by the manner in which our service at the Department of Defense ended. Unnamed Pentagon officials have slandered our character with baseless attacks on our way out the door. All…

— Dan Caldwell 🇺🇸 (@dandcaldwell) April 19, 2025

“We are incredibly disappointed by the manner in which our service at the Department of Defense ended,” they wrote. “At this time, we still have not been told what exactly we were investigated for, if there is still an active investigation, or if there was even a real investigation of ‘leaks’ to begin with.”

Lack of transparency fuels confusion

Related News

Salam conveys to Ortagus goals behind any possible negotiations

US launches three strikes on 4 vessels in Eastern Pacific, kills 14

The firings come after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s chief of staff, Joe Kasper, called for an inquiry into unauthorized disclosures of national security information. In March, Kasper stated that any individuals found responsible should be referred to law enforcement for possible criminal prosecution.

However, the officials now say they were not given details about any investigation into the alleged Pentagon leak, nor were they formally accused. “Unnamed Pentagon officials have slandered our character with baseless attacks on our way out the door,” they added, calling the experience “unconscionable.”

The investigation reportedly followed a New York Times article claiming that Elon Musk was set to receive a top-secret briefing regarding potential US military strategy in a conflict with China. The piece cited unnamed US officials, but both President Donald Trump and Secretary Hegseth denied that any such briefing was planned.

The suggestion that Musk would receive classified information drew concern across Washington, triggering internal efforts to trace possible leaks within the Department of Defense.

Officials defend record, criticize 'unconscionable' exit

Despite their dismissal, Caldwell, Selnick, and Carroll emphasized their commitment to information security during their time at the Pentagon. “We understood the importance of protecting national security and worked every day to uphold it,” they said.

The three also reaffirmed their broader support for the administration’s goals, “We remain supportive of the administration’s efforts to reform the Pentagon.”

Politico also reported that Joe Kasper will soon step down from his role as Hegseth’s chief of staff to take on another position within the department. He declined to comment on the reported investigation, and the Pentagon has yet to issue an official response.

As questions linger over the scope and existence of the Pentagon leak investigation, the departure of high-ranking officials without formal charges or transparency continues to stir speculation and unease within national security and political circles.

  • United States
  • Pentagon
  • Pentagon leaks
  • China
  • Pete Hegseth
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Delta Air Lines flight lands at Harry Reid International Airport, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Las Vegas (AP)
Politics

Nearly 3,800 US flights disrupted amid ongoing government shutdown

FILE - The Amazon logo is pictured at the Amazon Robotic Sorting Fulfillment Center in Madison County, Miss., Aug. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Economy

Amazon to cut 30,000 jobs in largest layoff in company history

Eurofighter Typhoon Spain's Air Force fighter jets fly above the military parade marking 'Día de la Hispanidad', or Hispanic Day, in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (AP)
Politics

UK sells 20 Eurofighter jets to Türkiye in £8bln defense agreement

Smoke billows after drone strikes by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted the northern port in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, Sudan, May 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

RSF tighten El Fasher siege as Sudan risks fragmentation: Reuters

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS