US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Lieutenant General Brett Silvia from his post on October 28. He has been accused of providing classified information regarding the Russia-Ukraine and Iran wars to journalists.

Investigation and Confession

During the investigation, Silvia admitted in a video recording to giving classified information to journalists. According to an investigation conducted by the Pentagon, he confessed to his crime after failing a polygraph test four times.

Silvia used the Signal app to contact journalists and met with them at the Silver Diner restaurant in Virginia. The Pentagon, in collaboration with the Department of Justice, had formed an investigative team in July 2026 to identify the sources of the leaks.