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Pentagon Officials Placed on Leave Amid Leak Investigation
Two senior officials at the US Department of Defense have been placed on administrative leave as part of an investigation into “unauthorized disclosures” of information. Dan Caldwell, a key advisor to Defense Secretary, and Darin Selnick, the Pentagon’s deputy chief of staff, were escorted from the building and had their access revoked, according to reports. The Pentagon has initiated the probe to determine the extent of the alleged security breaches.
Key Figures Suspended Following Leak Inquiry
Caldwell, a veteran of the Marine Corps, served as a significant advisor to the Defense Secretary. His importance was highlighted in recent disclosures, referencing a leaked text chain from last month. In the chain, Caldwell was identified as the primary contact for the National Security Council during preparations for strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Sources indicate that Caldwell‘s previous role at a conservative think tank, Defense Priorities, saw him advising the Pentagon on matters related to Ukraine, often advocating for a more isolationist stance.
Notably, he expressed skepticism regarding US military aid to Ukraine, favoring a reduction of US involvement in European affairs. The Iraq war veteran reportedly stated last year that the US would have been better served by staying out of foreign conflicts. He publicly described the Iraq War in December as a “monstrous crime.”
Selnick also held responsibilities akin to the under secretary of Defense for personnel and readiness. His prior experience includes positions within the White House and the Department of Veterans Affairs during the initial Trump administration.
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Both Caldwell and Selnick were previously affiliated with Concerned Veterans for America, an organization formerly led by the Defense Secretary.
Investigation Details Emerge
A memorandum dated March 21, authored by the Defense Secretary’s chief of staff, Joe Kasper, formally requested an investigation into “recent unauthorized disclosures of national security information involving sensitive communications.”
Kasper’s memo raised the possibility of polygraph examinations as part of the investigation, though it remains unclear whether Caldwell was subjected to such a test.
The scope of the investigation encompasses other suspected leaks, including military operational plans concerning the Panama Canal, the deployment of a second aircraft carrier to the Red Sea, a controversial visit by Elon Musk to the Pentagon, and the temporary halt of intelligence gathering for Ukraine.
According to sources who spoke with Reuters, “the investigation remains ongoing.”