Another Top Pentagon Official Fired as Leak Probe Expands

An aerial view of the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., May 11, 2021. Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Brittany A. Chase. Public domain.

It started with one. Then two. Now, a third top official at the Department of Defense (DoD) has reportedly been fired. As investigations into leaked sensitive information intensify, a once-quiet internal review has exploded into a full-blown scandal. While the public has yet to learn who’s behind the leaks - or if criminal charges will follow - each suspension sends a clear message - something big is brewing behind closed doors at the Pentagon. And this time, the headlines are landing just steps from the Secretary of Defense himself.

Who Is Colin Carroll?

The latest official on the outs is Colin Carroll, chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg. A Marine Corps Reserve officer, Carroll previously worked with the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center before a stint at Anduril Industries, a prominent defense contractor. He was escorted from the Pentagon on April 16, according to the New York Post.

Following the suspensions of Dan Caldwell and Darin Selnick, two advisers closely tied to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Carroll was the third DoD official to be kicked out of the Pentagon. All three have since been officially fired.

The Pentagon has not confirmed whether Carroll’s firing is directly linked to the leak investigation. However, the timing has raised eyebrows - especially given his proximity to Feinberg, a key figure in the Department’s leadership hierarchy.

The Backdrop: A Widening Leak Probe

All of this stems from a directive issued in late March. On March 21, Joe Kasper - Hegseth’s chief of staff - issued a memo ordering a department-wide investigation into unauthorized disclosures of classified information, the New York Post reports. His instructions were blunt: polygraph tests were on the table, and any individual identified would be immediately referred for potential criminal prosecution.

According to POLITICO, the leaks under scrutiny include:
- Operational plans involving the Panama Canal,
- The movement of a second US carrier to the Red Sea,
- Details about Elon Musk’s recent Pentagon visit, and
- A March intelligence-sharing pause with Ukraine

While the exact origins of the leaks remain unclear, the scale and scope suggest a breach at the highest levels of the Department.

A Split in Leadership?

Behind the scenes, reports suggest growing tension within the Pentagon. One defense source told CNN that Carroll’s suspension may have stemmed from disagreements with Kasper, implying this could be a “purge” of dissenting voices rather than a unified investigative sweep.

Adding fuel to the fire, Hegseth himself is facing bipartisan criticism. Not long before these firings, Hegseth was under fire for sharing sensitive military strike details in an unencrypted Signal chat - one that reportedly included a journalist by accident. Critics argue that this alone would be grounds for removal if committed by lower-ranking officials.

What’s Next?

As the Pentagon remains tight-lipped, speculation swirls over whether this investigation is zeroing in on specific individuals or simply casting a wide net. A final report from the internal review - with recommendations and a complete record of the leaks - is expected soon. Until then, every new suspension will keep the public and political class guessing.

References: Third Pentagon Official Put on Leave Amid Leak Investigation | Third Top Pentagon Official Suspended in Leak Investigation | Third Pentagon Appointee Placed on Administrative Leave | Third Top Defense Department Official Placed on Leave Amid Leak Probe | Pete Hegseth’s ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ revealed by fired Pentagon ‘leaker’