Read · October 28, 2026

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fires Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, the Joint Staff's top planner, after a Pentagon official says he failed three polygraphs about leaking classified Iran and Ukraine war information, a claim other Pentagon sources dispute

From the LeftCBS News: Hegseth fires Pentagon's top military planner over what official says were leaks to media
CBS reports a Pentagon official's account of the polygraphs and the Justice Department referral, two other Pentagon sources who say the accusations are not true, Sean Parnell's statement and the Joint Staff's retracted thank-you note.
Grade: B (82/100). Uses an unnamed source or unsourced number.
CenterCNBC: Hegseth reportedly fires U.S. top military planner as Trump downplays Iran peace talks
CNBC relays the AP and ABC reports of Sylvia's removal and retirement, then turns to warnings of renewed strikes on Iran, JD Vance's letter to Tehran and Iran's foreign minister.
Grade: B (82/100). Leaves out key context.
From the RightFox News: Hegseth fires top Pentagon strategist accused of leaking classified Iran, Ukraine war information
Fox reports a Department of War official's account of the polygraphs and DOJ referral, Sean Parnell's statement, Trump's 'big problems' remark and Sylvia's record, and notes it reached out to Sylvia and the DOJ.
Grade: D (64/100). Uses an unnamed source or unsourced number and leaves out key context.

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