Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon Purge: Third Official Ousted in Ongoing Leak Scandal

The Pentagon is undergoing significant upheaval with a major crackdown on leaks spearheaded by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Colin Carroll, chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg, is the latest to be suspended in a wave that began with the departures of two other officials, Dan Caldwell and Darin Selnick, both escorted from the premises due to an internal investigation. This inquiry, initiated on March 21, targets unauthorized disclosures of sensitive information, including military plans and intelligence operations.

Carroll, a former Marine Corps intelligence officer and a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, previously held a controversial position at the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center. His stint there ended amid claims of fostering a hostile work environment, a charge he contests, arguing that he was pushing for essential reforms.

The investigation covers various potential leaks, notably discussions involving high-profile meetings, including one with Elon Musk about U.S. war strategies concerning China. With tensions rising over information security, Hegseth’s administration is prepared to employ polygraph tests to uncover who is leaking critical information, underscoring the serious implications of these disclosures for national security.

As these events unfold, the Pentagon’s dynamics shift, reflecting broader concerns over governance and transparency in defense operations.