The Pentagon has placed three top officials on administrative leave amid an investigation into leaks of sensitive information. Dan Caldwell, Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll are now under scrutiny as the Department of Defense (DoD) looks into unauthorized disclosures that could compromise national security.
The investigation began in late March, following concerns about recent leaks. The DoD announced it would probe the unauthorized sharing of classified information, which includes operational plans related to the Panama Canal and the deployment of a second aircraft carrier to the Red Sea. Other leaks reportedly involve a visit by Elon Musk to the Pentagon to discuss issues related to China, as well as a pause in intelligence gathering concerning the Ukraine War.
Joe Kasper, the chief of staff to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, confirmed the investigation in a memo dated March 21, stating it would result in a report for the Secretary of Defense.
Caldwell, who has a background as a Marine Corps veteran, previously worked as a public policy advisor at the think tank Defense Priorities. He was noted in a leaked text chain regarding military strikes in Yemen as a key contact for the National Security Council.
Selnick, an Air Force veteran, served as a senior advisor to Concerned Veterans of America, a nonprofit organization previously led by Hegseth. Carroll, who was chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg before his suspension, is also a Marine Corps veteran and has worked with the defense contractor Anduril.
The ongoing investigation highlights the Pentagon’s commitment to safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring accountability within its ranks.