Hegseth Fires Pentagon’s Top Military Planner as Trump Weighs New Iran Strikes

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia as the Pentagon’s top military planner, the latest senior officer pushed out as President Donald Trump weighs renewed strikes on Iran.

Sylvia led the Joint Staff’s directorate for strategy, plans and policy, known as the J-5. A defense official confirmed the firing Wednesday and said no reason was given and no replacement has been named, the Associated Press reported.

The office drafts plans, policy recommendations and strategy for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, whose advice goes to the president and other national leaders.

Sylvia had held the job for about 11 months and has now retired from the Army. One source said he was removed for a lack of confidence, but it was unclear whether Hegseth or Caine ordered the move, ABC News reported.

The Atlantic first reported the removal. Pentagon officials told the magazine that Hegseth had lost confidence in Sylvia, and that the general had a difficult working relationship with Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s senior civilian policy official.

Hegseth’s office referred questions to the Joint Staff, The Hill reported. Two U.S. officials told the outlet that Hegseth fired Sylvia this week. Sylvia is a former commander of the Army’s 101st Airborne Division.

“The Chairman, the Joint Staff and the Joint Force extend our deepest gratitude to Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia and his family for their 32 years of distinguished service to our nation,” a Joint Staff spokesperson said.

“We wish him and his family the best as they graduate to new opportunities and the next chapters of their lives,” the spokesperson added. The statement did not explain the departure.

Second J-5 Chief Out in a Year

Sylvia is the second general ousted from the J-5 post under Hegseth. His predecessor, Army Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee, was forced to retire last October.

Until a nominee is confirmed, a deputy or vice director usually fills the role. The president then sends a pick to the Senate for confirmation.

“Now is not the time when you’d want to lose the J5,” a former Joint Chiefs official told The Atlantic. “This person would serve as a critical link between the operational force, the department policy, and the White House.”

The firing comes as U.S. Central Command has prepared options for Iran that range from limited strikes on nuclear facilities to a broader campaign meant to raise economic pressure on Tehran, according to the magazine.

Trump has not made a final decision, and new strikes are seen as unlikely before next week’s midterm elections. The war began in February, and U.S. and Iranian forces remain in a standoff around the Strait of Hormuz.

At least 26 generals and admirals have left or been removed since Hegseth took office, The Atlantic reported. They include Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, who was forced out during the Iran campaign.

Officials gave varied reasons for those exits. They cited past work on diversity programs, ties to former Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley and suspected leaks to the press.

In a September speech, Hegseth said about 10% of the military’s generals and admirals had been removed. He announced plans to cut another 10% of senior officer posts.

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