Defense Secretary Hegseth fires the Pentagon's top military planner as a leak inquiry is referred to the Justice Department

What happened

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired the Army lieutenant general who served as the Pentagon's top military planner, according to reporting by the Associated Press, published by PBS NewsHour, and ABC News. The officer led the Joint Staff's Directorate for Strategy, Plans and Policy, known in military shorthand as the J-5, for 11 months, ABC News reported.

A defense official told the AP on Wednesday that no immediate replacement had been named and that no reason had been given for the move at that point. The AP noted the firing was first reported by The Atlantic.

The leak allegation

What a Pentagon official told ABC News

A senior Pentagon official later told ABC News that Hegseth fired the general after an inquiry determined he had allegedly been leaking classified information to the press about the war with Iran, the war in Ukraine and other matters. The official said Hegseth acted over "severe misconduct" and that an ongoing investigation has been referred to the Justice Department. A separate source told ABC News the officer was removed for a lack of confidence.

The Pentagon's public statement

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a social media post on Thursday that the department took personnel action after an extensive Air Force OSI investigation and referred the matter to the Justice Department for "potential further legal action." ABC News reported that Parnell did not identify the officer as the subject of that investigation. The Justice Department did not respond to ABC News' request for comment, and the general has not been charged with any crime in the reporting.

A withdrawn statement

A Joint Staff spokesperson first thanked the general and his family for 32 years of distinguished service, the AP reported. ABC News reported that the Joint Staff later withdrew that statement, saying it "did not appropriately reflect the full circumstances" and that it would not comment further.

Why the J-5 post matters

According to the AP, the J-5 director and staff typically generate and coordinate military plans with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the president. ABC News described the office as one of the Joint Staff's most important directorates, alongside the J-3, which handles planning and running military operations.

The firing comes as President Donald Trump weighs renewed strikes on Iran in a war now eight months old, the AP reported. Trump has said new strikes are an option after next week's midterm elections, and two diplomats told the AP that U.S. officials have advised Middle East countries and regional allies to prepare for possible renewed action. The diplomats said Trump has not made a final decision. A third U.S. aircraft carrier and thousands of additional troops are heading to the region, the AP reported.

A pattern of departures under Hegseth

The general is the second J-5 director ousted under Hegseth, according to the AP. His predecessor, Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee, was forced to retire last October. ABC News reported that McGee had been nominated under the Biden administration to become director of the Joint Staff but was not renominated by the Trump administration.

The AP counted nearly two dozen generals, admirals and other military leaders who have been fired, forced to retire or otherwise left during Hegseth's tenure, most without public explanation. Hegseth said last month he ordered a 20% cut to the number of top officers, to be completed by Jan. 1, 2027, the AP reported. There are roughly 800 flag and general officer positions.

Hegseth told junior officers and enlisted leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico on Sept. 30, "I call it accountability and long overdue," according to the AP. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said last month that Hegseth is "purging a generation of great leaders of the military," the AP reported. Find more national coverage on our site.

What to watch next

• Whether the Justice Department takes further legal action on the referral described by Pentagon officials.
• Who the Pentagon names to lead the J-5, which the AP reported had no immediate replacement.
• Whether Trump decides on renewed strikes on Iran after Tuesday's midterm elections, which diplomats said is still undecided.
• Progress on Hegseth's ordered 20% cut to top officer positions, due by Jan. 1, 2027.