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Turmoil within the Pentagon’s leadership escalated on Friday, as two political appointees previously placed on leave were officially terminated, according to multiple sources reporting to CBS News.
Joe Kasper, Chief of Staff to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, initiated an investigation into unauthorized disclosures back in March. In his memo, he emphasized the need for an exhaustive review of leaks, mentioning that polygraph tests could be utilized if deemed necessary.
The officials who were dismissed are Dan Caldwell, Hegseth’s senior advisor, and Dan Selnick, deputy chief of staff. Both had been placed on administrative leave earlier in the week during the investigation process, with Politico being the first to announce their termination.
Additionally, Colin Carroll, who serves as the chief of staff to the deputy secretary of defense, was also put on administrative leave amid the ongoing inquiry.
Reports indicate that Kasper himself is under scrutiny as part of this probe, with two sources confirming the investigation’s broader focus.
A senior Defense official shared insights with CBS News, stating, “Currently, no definitive alterations to senior staffing have been made, and the secretary will announce any forthcoming changes at his discretion.”
Discussions are reportedly underway regarding the potential suspension of additional officials, signaling that the investigation into leaks to various news outlets may be extensive.
The timing of Kasper’s memo coincided with the Pentagon’s strong denial of claims that Elon Musk was set to attend a confidential briefing at the Pentagon concerning military strategies related to China. However, sources indicate that the investigation is looking into multiple stories beyond just this one.
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