Top Hegseth adviser placed on leave amid investigation into Defense Department leaks

The Defense Department (DoD) on Tuesday placed one of its advisers on leave while an investigation into leaks from the department is underway. 

A DoD official told the Daily Wire that Dan Caldwell, an adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, was placed on leave amid the investigation. Reuters also reported that Caldwell was placed on leave and escorted out of the building because of “an unauthorized disclosure.”

It is not clear what the "unauthorized disclosure" was, but it comes after Trump administration officials introduced several measures to combat leaks to the press. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, for example, is now requiring suspected leakers to take polygraph tests.

The move also comes after the Pentagon announced last month that it was investigating leaks of national security information. Hegseth has not commented on what the leaks entailed. He has also not publicly commented on placing Caldwell on leave.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.