Top Pentagon Advisor Placed on Leave Amid Leak Investigation

WASHINGTON, April 15 (Reuters) – Dan Caldwell, a senior adviser to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, was escorted out of the Pentagon on Tuesday as part of an ongoing investigation into unauthorized disclosures within the Department of Defense, a U.S. official confirmed to Reuters.

Caldwell was placed on administrative leave for what has been described as ‘an unauthorized disclosure,’ according to the official, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case publicly. Details surrounding the nature of the alleged disclosure remain unclear, including whether the information was shared with a journalist or another party.

The investigation follows a memo signed on March 21 by Hegseth’s chief of staff, Joe Kasper, which called for inquiries into ‘recent unauthorized disclosures of national security information involving sensitive communications.’ The memo suggested the possibility of a polygraph examination; however, it is not confirmed if Caldwell underwent one.

Although less known compared to other Pentagon officials, Caldwell has been a pivotal figure, serving as a key adviser to Hegseth. His significance emerged in a leaked text chain on the messaging platform Signal, where Hegseth identified Caldwell as the best point of contact for the National Security Council as it strategized for potential military action against the Houthis in Yemen.

Despite being a somewhat controversial figure, Caldwell has attracted attention for his positions that critics label isolationist, while supporters argue he aims to realign U.S. defense priorities. A Marine Corps veteran, Caldwell previously stated his belief that the Iraq War was a ‘monstrous crime,’ in an interview with the Financial Times in December 2024, suggesting that the U.S. would have been better off without troop involvement.

Furthermore, Caldwell has expressed skepticism regarding U.S. military aid to Ukraine and has advocated for a broader U.S. retrenchment from Europe.

The action taken against Caldwell marks a distinct step in the broader wave of firings at the Pentagon following Hegseth’s new leadership, which began in January. This period has seen the dismissal of numerous top military officials, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the head of U.S. Cyber Command.

The development underscores the aggressive stance taken by the Hegseth administration to address leaks within the ranks, an effort seen as a priority for improving national security and maintaining the integrity of sensitive information.