Top Hegseth Adviser Placed on Leave Amid Pentagon Leak Investigation

In a move that underscores the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance approach to internal leaks, Dan Caldwell, senior adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has been placed on administrative leave amid an ongoing investigation into an unauthorized disclosure within the Department of Defense.

A Defense Department official confirmed the development Tuesday, as first reported by The Daily Wire. According to the report, Caldwell was escorted out of the Pentagon, though the exact nature of the leak remains undisclosed.

While the Department of Defense has not provided further comment, Secretary Hegseth has yet to speak publicly on the situation. But the message is clear: leakers will be rooted out and held accountable regardless of their rank or proximity to power.

The incident is part of a broader crackdown across federal agencies aimed at protecting sensitive information and restoring operational discipline after years of politically motivated leaking under the Biden and Obama administrations. The Trump White House has made it known that those days are over.

Other top officials have echoed that sentiment in recent weeks:

• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has implemented polygraph testing for suspected leakers within DHS. A spokesperson said, “We are agnostic about your standing… we will track down leakers and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”

• Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard also signaled a no-holds-barred approach, declaring, “Leaks undermine national security… We know of and are aggressively pursuing recent leakers from within the Intelligence Community.”

Leaks have long plagued administrations, but under President Trump’s leadership, the federal government is taking real steps to shut them down. The administration views these actions not just as personnel matters, but as essential to preserving the integrity of national security and restoring public trust.

The irony in Caldwell’s case is not lost on many. As a staunch conservative and long-time national security advocate, Caldwell has publicly supported efforts to rid the Pentagon of deep-state bureaucrats and political operatives. If the allegations prove true, it will represent not just a breach of trust but a betrayal of the very mission he claimed to champion.

Still, it's worth noting that no formal charges have been brought, and Caldwell remains on leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

One thing is clear: this administration isn’t playing games. Whether it’s the Pentagon, DHS, or the intelligence community, the era of unpunished leaks is over.

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