Pentagon Advisor Escorted Out Amid Growing Leak Investigation

A senior advisor to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been placed on administrative leave and escorted from the Pentagon as part of an expanding internal investigation into unauthorized disclosures of sensitive national security information.

Dan Caldwell, a longtime associate of Hegseth and a former Marine, was removed from his position after being linked to an alleged leak of internal defense information. According to officials familiar with the matter, Caldwell’s access to Pentagon systems was suspended, and he was escorted out by security personnel.

Crackdown on Internal Leaks

The Pentagon recently launched a high-level probe into several unauthorized disclosures believed to have originated from within the Department of Defense. A memo issued by the Defense Secretary’s office confirmed that the investigation would include the use of polygraph tests to help identify those responsible for the leaks.

The memo also stated that anyone found to have participated in or facilitated the release of protected information would be referred for possible criminal prosecution. A final report will be delivered to Secretary Hegseth, detailing the breaches, responsible parties, and recommended policy reforms.

“This investigation will culminate in a report that includes a full record of unauthorized disclosures and proposes steps to improve internal safeguards,” the memo read. Officials emphasized that polygraphs would be administered within legal boundaries and established federal procedures.

Who Is Dan Caldwell?

Dan Caldwell is a prominent figure in defense circles, known for his foreign policy views that emphasize military restraint and reduced overseas deployments. Before joining the Pentagon, Caldwell held leadership roles in several conservative policy organizations and veteran advocacy groups. He has consistently supported reducing the U.S. military presence in the Middle East and Europe.

Caldwell’s close ties to Secretary Hegseth are well documented, dating back to their shared time at a veterans organization. He was recently identified as a key point of contact during military discussions involving U.S. strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. That connection became public after a private group chat involving several national security officials was accidentally leaked when a journalist was mistakenly added to the conversation.

Rising Tensions Within the Pentagon

The Pentagon leak investigation comes amid heightened scrutiny over national security communications and internal decision-making processes. Officials have grown increasingly concerned about the frequency and scope of leaks, many of which have found their way into national media outlets.

One recent leak involved information suggesting that large U.S. bombs used in strikes against Iranian targets had failed to significantly disrupt Iran’s nuclear enrichment operations. The disclosure sparked a wave of public criticism and frustration within the administration, with President Trump reportedly blaming members of Congress and vowing to reduce the frequency of military briefings to lawmakers.

Secretary Hegseth, addressing the controversy at a recent press briefing, criticized the coverage of preliminary military assessments in the press. He stated that the leaked report had not been coordinated with the intelligence community, contained gaps, and was based on assumptions that could be easily misinterpreted.

“These leaks are not only damaging to military operations, but they’re also being used to serve political agendas,” Hegseth said. “This kind of disclosure undermines trust, endangers personnel, and misrepresents the outcomes of strategic decisions.”

Broader Implications and Political Fallout

The fallout from the Caldwell suspension is reverberating throughout the Pentagon, with some insiders raising concerns about a growing climate of fear and internal division. Critics warn that the aggressive crackdown could stifle legitimate dissent or inhibit open discussion among policy staff.

Supporters of the investigation, however, argue that protecting sensitive military information is critical to national security — and that those entrusted with access to classified materials must be held to the highest standards of accountability.

“This is about protecting our forces and our strategic capabilities,” one senior defense official said. “Leaks cost lives. They cost operational momentum. There has to be a line — and it must be enforced.”

Caldwell has not issued a public statement since his suspension. However, sources close to him suggest that he denies any wrongdoing and believes he is being targeted due to his policy views and associations within the department.

As the investigation unfolds, observers expect more developments, including potential disciplinary actions and procedural reforms to strengthen information security within the Pentagon. For now, the incident highlights a growing struggle between transparency, accountability, and the tight control of sensitive military operations in an increasingly polarized political environment.