Dan Caldwell, a senior advisor to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, was abruptly fired and escorted out of the Pentagon on Tuesday over what officials are calling an “unauthorized disclosure,” according to a report from Reuters.
Though the specifics of the leak remain under wraps, the action comes in the wake of a broader internal investigation launched by the Pentagon to root out unauthorized disclosures.
That investigation was reportedly triggered by a March 21 memo issued by Hegseth’s chief of staff, highlighting growing concerns about internal security and information control within the Department of Defense.
Caldwell, who has long been viewed as a key figure in Hegseth’s inner circle, was removed quietly but firmly from the building, a U.S. official confirmed to Reuters on condition of anonymity.
The official also noted that the investigation into the leak is still ongoing, and Caldwell’s placement on leave is a preliminary action as further details are assessed.
This incident marks a significant disruption inside the Pentagon’s leadership ranks. Caldwell is not only a prominent policy voice within the Defense Department but also well-known in conservative policy circles.
He previously worked with Concerned Veterans for America and has been a regular