A recent investigation at the Pentagon has led to the removal of two officials connected to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, amid allegations of unauthorized disclosure of national security information. Darin Selnick, deputy chief of staff for Hegseth, and Dan Caldwell, another top aide, have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the probe.
The investigation centers around leaked Pentagon documents, with Reuters reporting that Caldwell's leave is tied to an "unauthorized disclosure." The specifics of the leak are still under wraps, but sources indicate it may involve sensitive information regarding Panama Canal plans and a visit by Elon Musk to the Pentagon.
Key Figures Involved:
- Darin Selnick: Deputy chief of staff for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and a retired Air Force officer with extensive experience in veterans' affairs.
- Dan Caldwell: Top aide to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, escorted out of the Pentagon by security personnel.
- Pete Hegseth: Defense Secretary, previously led Concerned Veterans for America, a group both Selnick and Caldwell have worked with.
Investigation Details:
- The probe, announced last month, focuses on recent unauthorized disclosures of national security information.
- The Defense Department's chief of staff, Joe Kasper, has outlined the investigation's scope, which may include polygraph tests, in accordance with applicable law and policy.
- The investigation aims to produce a report for the Secretary of Defense.
Context and Implications:
This incident raises questions about information security within the Defense Department and highlights the challenges of balancing transparency with national security concerns. The use of messaging apps like Signal for official business has come under scrutiny, particularly after a recent leak involving a Signal group chat with national security officials.
In a related context, a Signal group chat leak, also known as Signalgate, occurred in March 2025, involving top national security officials discussing military operations against the Houthis in Yemen. The leak was attributed to National Security Advisor Mike Waltz accidentally adding journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to the chat. This incident has sparked concerns about the security practices of national security leaders and potential violations of federal records laws ¹.
What This Means for the Pentagon:
The removal of these officials underscores the seriousness with which the Pentagon is approaching the investigation. As the probe unfolds, it may reveal more about the nature of the leak and the extent of any security breaches. The outcome could have implications for the officials involved and the broader Defense Department.
Given the complexity of national security issues and the potential consequences of leaks, the Pentagon's response will likely be closely watched. The investigation's findings will be crucial in determining the next steps and ensuring the security of sensitive information.
In the meantime, the Defense Department's commitment to transparency and accountability will be put to the test. As more information becomes available, the public will be keenly interested in understanding what happened and how similar incidents can be prevented in the future.
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