00:00A top U.S. military commander entrusted with some of America's most sensitive war plans is now at the center
00:08of a major classified information scandal.
00:11And the allegation is explosive.
00:14Former U.S. Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia has reportedly admitted sharing classified information about the wars in Iran and
00:22Ukraine with journalists over a period of one year.
00:26According to an internal investigation report obtained by Axios, Sylvia acknowledged the unauthorized disclosures during a recorded interview after failing
00:36four polygraph tests.
00:38So what exactly happened?
00:40Sylvia previously served as the Pentagon's top military planner and commanded the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division.
00:48But earlier this week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed him from his position amid allegations that he had leaked sensitive
00:57military information.
00:59The investigation reportedly found that the disclosures began as early as June 2025, and they allegedly involved both direct meetings
01:08with journalists and exchanges through Signal, an encrypted messaging platform.
01:13One particular meeting has drawn attention.
01:16According to the report, Sylvia met a journalist at a Silver Diner restaurant in Arlington, Virginia.
01:22The journalist had reportedly lost access to the Pentagon and was working on a book.
01:28During the meeting, Sylvia allegedly used notes he had taken while reviewing a classified report to verbally share information about
01:36U.S. assistance to Ukraine.
01:38The report also says the journalist had met the general twice.
01:42But here's another crucial detail.
01:44Sylvia allegedly failed to inform the Pentagon's Public Affairs Office about these meetings, nor seek official approval before sharing the
01:53information.
01:55Investigators later questioned him about his interactions with journalists.
01:59And according to the report, he struggled to pass multiple polygraph examinations.
02:04While earlier CBS News reporting referred to three failed tests, the subsequent Axios report cited four.
02:13Sylvia reportedly cooperated with investigators and handed over his personal phone for forensic examination.
02:19He then acknowledged the unauthorized disclosures during a recorded interview.
02:24But the controversy does not end with the investigation.
02:28The Pentagon has now confirmed that action has been taken and the matter has been referred to the U.S.
02:34Justice Department for possible legal proceedings.
02:37Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the Defense Department has zero tolerance for the intentional, unauthorized disclosure of classified information.
02:46He also confirmed that the Department had taken necessary personnel action to protect sensitive material.
02:53Although Parnell did not identify Sylvia by name, he acknowledged that the case, along with other matters, had been referred
03:00to the Justice Department.
03:02Now, why does this case matter?
03:05Because Sylvia was not an ordinary military officer.
03:08He held a senior position in America's military planning structure and had previously commanded one of the U.S. Army's
03:15prominent airborne divisions.
03:17Information about American military assistance to Ukraine and classified assessments involving Iran could carry serious national security implications.
03:27And the case comes at a time when the Pentagon is already undergoing a wider reshuffle of senior military leadership
03:35under President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
03:40The bigger question now is whether the Justice Department will pursue further action and what additional details could emerge from
03:47the investigation.
03:48For now, a senior American military officer has been removed from his post.
03:53An internal investigation has reportedly documented his admission, and the case has moved towards possible legal action.
04:01A scandal involving classified war secrets that could raise fresh questions about security, trust, and accountability at the highest levels
04:11of the U.S. military.
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