Pentagon Leak Probe: Pete Hegseth's top adviser Dan Caldwell posted with an 'unauthorized disclosure', the report says | Today news

US defense secretary Pete Hegseeth’s senior adviser Dan Caldwell was escorted out of the Pentagon on Tuesday (April 15) after being identified in an investigation into leaks within the Department of Defense, according to a report. Caldwell was placed on administrative leave for what was described as “an unauthorized disclosure”. ‘The investigation remains constantly’ Reuters who calls a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the official refused to provide further details on the nature of the alleged disclosure or involved contact with a journalist. “The investigation remains constant,” the official said. The development is the latest in a series of actions taken under the Trump administration’s oppression of unauthorized leaks, a campaign that Hegseth said since he took the helm to the Pentagon in January. Memo investigated ‘unauthorized revelations’ a March 21 memo and signed by Kegseth’s staff chief Joe Kasper requested an investigation into ‘recent unauthorized revelations of national security information on sensitive communication.’ The memo also left the possibility of using polygraph tests in the investigation, although it is unclear whether Caldwell has undergone one, according to the news store. The key adviser in the Yemen strike planning Although Caldwell maintained a lower profile than other top officials, Reuters noted that he played an important consulting role for Hegseth. A signal message chain published by the Atlantic last month emphasized the importance of Caldwell – Hegseth has allegedly identified him as the ‘Best Staff Point of Contact’ for the National Security Council while planning strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. Not related to the recent flurry of firing. The action against Caldwell does not appear to be related to a series of high-profile thanks under Hegseth’s tenure. Since January, the defense secretary has removed several top officials, including the chairman of the joint heads of staff, the Topmal of the Navy, the head of the US cyber commission and the US military representative of the NATO military committee. First published: 16 Apr 2025, 03:02 AM IST