U.S. Defence Secretary Adviser Put on Leave After Leak Investigation
So, here’s the deal: Dan Caldwell, a top adviser to U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, got escorted out of the Pentagon on Tuesday, 15th April 2025, after he got caught up in a leak investigation.
A U.S. official told Reuters that Caldwell is now on administrative leave for disclosing information without authorisation. The official didn’t really go into details about what was leaked, but it’s still under investigation.
The Pentagon: What Is It?
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defence, and it’s based in Washington, D.C.. It’s a huge building, one of the largest office spaces in the world, where top military leaders work to manage the operations of the U.S. Armed Forces. The Defence Secretary, like Pete Hegseth, is in charge of overseeing everything to do with military strategies, operations, and policies for the nation.
The Leak: What We Know
The investigation? Still ongoing. The official didn’t say whether the leak went to a journalist or if it was passed to someone else. But, it’s clear that the Pentagon is cracking down on leaks, and President Trump’s administration is all in on this effort.
Hegseth is fully backing it, as evidenced by a memo from Joe Kasper, his chief of staff, that was sent out 21st March 2025. The memo requested an investigation into unauthorised disclosures involving national security info—pretty serious stuff.
There was also talk about the possibility of a polygraph being used, though it’s not clear if Caldwell was subjected to one.
Who Is Dan Caldwell?
Caldwell might not be a household name, but he’s been super important behind the scenes as Hegseth’s adviser. The Atlantic even leaked a text chain from the Signal app last month that showed Hegseth calling Caldwell the best contact for the National Security Council when things were heating up in Yemen. That’s no small deal.
Now, as for Caldwell’s views—he’s stirred some controversy. Critics call him isolationist, but his supporters say he’s just trying to make sure America’s military priorities are more in line with what’s actually needed.
He’s a Marine Corps vet, and before coming to the Pentagon, he didn’t mince words about the Iraq War. He called it a “monstrous crime” in an interview with the Financial Times back in December 2024.
His stance on military assistance to Ukraine? He’s been pretty skeptical about that too, and advocates for pulling back from Europe. Some strong opinions there.
The Bigger Picture: Changes at the Pentagon
This isn’t just about Caldwell. There’s been a lot of shuffling at the Pentagon since Hegseth took over in January as U.S. Defence Secretary. A lot of people have been let go, including some top military officials like the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the head of U.S. Cyber Command. Reuters also broke the news last week about the U.S. military representative to the NATO Military Committee being fired.
With all these changes, it’s clear Hegseth is making some big moves, and it’s not all smooth sailing. The investigation into Caldwell is just one part of a broader effort to tighten control and root out leaks.