The Pentagon has taken action against a top adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, placing him on administrative leave amidst an investigation into possible leaks of sensitive information. Dan Caldwell, a Marine Corps veteran with a background at the Defense Priorities think tank, was escorted out of the Pentagon and had his building access suspended pending further inquiries.
Rooting Out Leaks
This development comes as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to address leaks, particularly within the Defense Department. A memo issued in March by Hegseth’s chief of staff instructed the Pentagon’s director for defense intelligence to investigate unauthorized disclosures and authorized the use of polygraphs to identify sources.
Key Role in Ukraine Advising
Caldwell played a crucial role in advising the Pentagon on matters related to Ukraine. In a notable incident, Hegseth mistakenly included a journalist in a Signal chat with national security leaders, during which Caldwell was designated as the primary contact for coordinating U.S. military actions in Yemen.
Response and Further Inquiries
Despite these developments, Caldwell has not yet provided a comment on the situation. The investigation into the alleged leaks and Caldwell’s involvement is ongoing, with the Pentagon taking a firm stance on maintaining the integrity of sensitive information.
