The Pentagon building (File photo by Reuters)
The Pentagon has placed two high-ranking officials on administrative leave amid an ongoing investigation into "unauthorized" leaks related to a confidential group chat discussing military aggression against Yemen.
Dan Caldwell, a senior adviser to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Darin Selnick, the Pentagon's deputy chief of staff, were reportedly escorted out of the Pentagon building on Tuesday in connection to the investigation, according to a department official speaking on condition of anonymity.
Caldwell, who has previously expressed isolationist views and skepticism about US military assistance abroad, is under scrutiny for an "unauthorized disclosure" linked to a controversial Signal group chat that accidentally included Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic.
This chat raised significant concerns regarding operational security, particularly as it highlighted Caldwell's role as a key contact for the National Security Council during preparations for military strikes against Yemen’s Ansarullah movement.
The leaked chat featured discussions among several high-ranking officials, including Vice President JD Vance, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
Goldberg noted that these officials seemed unaware of his presence while discussing detailed military plans, which has sparked bipartisan alarm over the potential security risks associated with such lapses.
Selnick has also been placed on leave as the investigation continues, a move that aligns with the Pentagon's broader initiative launched last month to address "unauthorized disclosures" of sensitive information.
This investigation represents a significant moment in the Trump administration's approach to handling military communications, as officials have taken aggressive measures to combat leaks.
A memo from Hegseth's chief of staff, Joe Kasper, dated March 21, indicated a demand for a thorough review of recent unauthorized disclosures, suggesting the potential use of polygraphs for those involved, although it remains unclear if Caldwell has undergone such testing.
Despite Hegseth's denial that specific war plans were shared, the National Security Council has acknowledged the authenticity of the messages and initiated an investigation. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has condemned the incident, emphasizing the seriousness of the breach and calling for accountability.
This investigation unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing US military operations in Yemen, where recent airstrikes have targeted various locations, including civilian infrastructure.
US officials speaking to the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday reported that Washington has conducted over 350 strikes during its current campaign in Yemen.
Yemen’s Health Ministry reported on Monday that US strikes on civilian facilities have resulted in 123 deaths and 247 injuries since March 16.
Since the onset of Israel's war on Gaza in October 2023, Yemeni forces have conducted numerous operations to support the besieged Gazans, targeting locations within the occupied Palestinian territories and striking Israeli, American, and British interests in the Red Sea region.
In response, the US established a maritime task force in December 2023 to safeguard vessel passage to Israeli-occupied areas.
In retaliation, Yemeni forces intensified their assaults on key Israeli and American assets, including US warships and aircraft carriers stationed off Yemen's coast, vowing to continue their attacks until Israel ceases its ground and aerial offensives in Gaza.
