Dan Caldwell, a Senior Adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has been placed on administrative leave following a Pentagon investigation into unauthorized leaks, with sources identifying him as a key figure in the breach.
At a Glance
- Pentagon adviser Dan Caldwell placed on leave
- Unauthorized leaks linked to Yemen strike chats
- DoD may use polygraphs to investigate
- Memo from Chief of Staff warns of criminal prosecution
Caldwell’s Sudden Removal
Dan Caldwell, a prominent adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and a former Marine, was escorted out of the Pentagon and placed on leave amid an intensifying investigation into leaks of sensitive defense communications. According to reporting from the Associated Press, Caldwell was identified as a central figure in a private Signal chat involving discussions of potential military action in Yemen, a breach that prompted alarm within the Department of Defense.
The leak gained national attention after journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was accidentally added to the chat, exposing classified-level dialogue between Trump-era Pentagon officials. The contents of the chat, which were later obtained by The Atlantic, involved deliberations over planned strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. Caldwell’s role in the exchange has drawn scrutiny given his high-level security access and previous criticism of U.S. foreign policy.
Watch Reuters’ report on the incident at Top Hegseth adviser Dan Caldwell put on leave.
The Pentagon’s Crackdown on Leaks
The investigation formally began after a March 21 memo from Chief of Staff Joe Kasper warned Pentagon personnel about “unauthorized disclosures of information related to national security,” signaling that criminal referrals and polygraph tests could be used in the probe. “I expect to be informed immediately if this effort results in identifying a party responsible for an unauthorized disclosure,” Kasper wrote, as quoted by The Guardian.
The Department of Defense has remained tight-lipped about the precise nature of the leaked materials. However, officials told Reuters that the breach has triggered a broader internal security review, underscoring the administration’s aggressive posture on classified communications.
Multiple senior officials have reportedly been warned or dismissed in recent weeks as part of a sweeping internal shakeup under Hegseth’s leadership. As reported by Axios, the disciplinary measures suggest a zero-tolerance approach toward national security leaks, even at the highest levels.
Caldwell’s Background and Fallout
Caldwell, known for his critical stance on American military interventions, previously led policy work at Concerned Veterans for America and remains a controversial voice in conservative defense circles. In past statements, he condemned U.S. foreign entanglements, stating, “I think our pursuit of primacy has ultimately made us weaker as a country.”
He has also sharply criticized the Iraq War, calling it “a monstrous crime,” according to an interview cited by RedState. Caldwell’s conservative credentials, paired with his anti-interventionist views, positioned him as both an insider and iconoclast within the defense establishment.
His removal has sparked debate over how internal dissent is handled within high-clearance environments. While the Pentagon continues to stress its commitment to information security, Caldwell’s case could have lasting implications for whistleblowers and dissenters navigating national defense bureaucracy.
Watch AP’s full breakdown at Pentagon senior adviser Dan Caldwell ousted during investigation into leaks.
