Dan Caldwell, an adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has now reportedly been placed on leave amid an investigation into leaks within the Department of Defense (DOD).
The the news was confirmed through a Defense Department official, who indicated that Caldwell’s leave is related to concerns over an “unauthorized disclosure.”
Earlier reports from Reuters suggested that Caldwell was escorted out of the Pentagon due to unspecified details surrounding the alleged leak.
As of now, Hegseth has not publicly addressed the situation, and the specifics of the disclosure remain unclear.
The issue of leaks has been a persistent challenge for government officials, particularly during Donald Trump’s first administration, which faced numerous unauthorized information leaks.
In response, members of the current administration are taking proactive measures to prevent similar incidents.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has implemented polygraph testing to identify potential leakers within her department.
Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant secretary for public affairs at DHS, stated, “Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, DHS is unapologetic about its efforts to root out leakers that undermine national security.”
She emphasized that the department will pursue and prosecute leakers regardless of their status.
NEW: Dan Caldwell, top advisor to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, escorted out of the Pentagon after being identified in leaks probe – REU pic.twitter.com/yM22n6MS0E
— BNO News (@BNONews) April 15, 2025
Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, echoed this sentiment, asserting that politically motivated leaks compromise national security and public trust.
She vowed to hold accountable those responsible for recent leaks within the intelligence community.
As the investigation into Caldwell continues, the administration’s commitment to addressing leaks highlights the ongoing challenge of maintaining confidentiality within government operations.
The situation serves as a reminder of the critical importance of safeguarding sensitive information in national security matters.
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