Pentagon Shake-Up: Hegseth's Aides on Leave Amid Leak Investigation
Three top aides to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were placed on administrative leave as part of an ongoing investigation into unauthorized leaks at the Pentagon.
In a significant development at the Pentagon, three senior aides to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into allegations of unauthorized leaks. The officials involved are senior adviser Dan Caldwell, deputy chief of staff Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll, chief of staff to Deputy Secretary of Defense Stephen Feinberg. The trio was escorted from the building this week, marking a public display of the internal tensions within the defense department.
Details surrounding the nature of the leaks and the specific accusations against the aides remain undisclosed. According to sources, the affected employees were not informed of the exact allegations against them nor were they subjected to standard procedures such as being read their rights or having their cellphones confiscated. At least one of the aides is seeking legal advice as they await further developments in the investigation.
Legal experts emphasize that being placed on paid leave is a preliminary step and does not constitute a disciplinary action. Sean Timmons, an authority in military and employment law, stated that this move is part of a security protocol to allow for a thorough investigation. The aides, who are political appointees, could face termination and loss of security clearances if found guilty of leaking sensitive information.
Amidst the controversy, accusations of personal vendettas have surfaced, with reports suggesting that Hegseth’s chief of staff, Joe Kasper, held a grudge against the trio. Tensions reportedly escalated to the point of confrontations within the office. However, Pentagon officials insist that the actions taken are solely in response to the leak investigation and not influenced by internal conflicts or differing policy views.
As the investigation continues, the Pentagon remains focused on identifying the source of the leaks and ensuring the security of classified information. The outcome of this probe could have significant implications for the careers of those involved and the broader operational integrity of the Department of Defense.