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: Two martyrs reported in the Israeli aggression on Qom, Iran
IRGC: The operation successfully destroyed the pre-determined targets
IRGC: We launched a heavy barrage of Shahed-136 suicide and attack drones, in addition to precision missiles
IRGC: The 18th wave of Operation True Promise 3 was directed at military targets and operational support centers of the occupation army
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Iranian air defenses activated above Tabriz and Zanjan
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Iranian air defenses successfully intercepted Israeli hostile targets above Tehran and Isfahan
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Iranian air defenses activated against Israeli hostile targets above Tehran
Israeli media: An Iranian missile fell on a building in Tel Aviv
Israeli media: The wave of Iranian missiles was directed at central ​​Tel Aviv
IOF reports sirens sounding in central occupied Palestine following the detection of missiles launched from Iran

Were they scapegoats? Pentagon officials fired without cause

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 20 Apr 2025 14:03
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

Mahmoud Khalil ordered released on bail: Axios

Iran's Araghchi slams 'unjustifiable' Israeli war crimes, strikes

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

Iranian missiles impact Israeli sites in Tel Aviv in 2nd wave

Iran's missiles impact 'strategic' Israeli site in Tel Aviv

  • Politics
  • 14 Jun 2025
Bin Salman: Islamic world backs Iran in call to Pezeshkian

MBS says Islamic world backs Iran in call with Pezeshkian

  • MENA
  • 15 Jun 2025
Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • 17 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A motorcycle is on fire after an Israeli drone strike targeted it in the southern Lebanese village of Baraachit, June 20, 2025 (Social media)
Politics

Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon lead to casualty, martyr

An Israeli military vehicle before it was targeted in Operation Breaking the Sword in Gaza, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)
Politics

Gaza Resistance pounds invading Israeli forces in joint operations

Israeli occupation forces and emergency teams work next to an unpopulated building after it was hit by a missile fired from Iran, in Haifa, occupied Palestine, Friday, June 20, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran bombs Israeli Interior Ministry in tit-for-tat response

A man is evacuated by an Israeli emergency team after a missile from Iran hits in Haifa, Israel, Friday, June 20, 2025 (AP)
Politics

1,217 injured in 'Israel' from Iran retaliation amid rising tensions

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