Dan Caldwell, a senior advisor to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, was abruptly fired and escorted out of the Pentagon on Tuesday over what officials are calling an “unauthorized disclosure,” according to a report from Reuters.
Though the specifics of the leak remain under wraps, the action comes in the wake of a broader internal investigation launched by the Pentagon to root out unauthorized disclosures.
That investigation was reportedly triggered by a March 21 memo issued by Hegseth’s chief of staff, highlighting growing concerns about internal security and information control within the Department of Defense.
Caldwell, who has long been viewed as a key figure in Hegseth’s inner circle, was removed quietly but firmly from the building, a U.S. official confirmed to Reuters on condition of anonymity.
The official also noted that the investigation into the leak is still ongoing, and Caldwell’s placement on leave is a preliminary action as further details are assessed.
This incident marks a significant disruption inside the Pentagon’s leadership ranks. Caldwell is not only a prominent policy voice within the Defense Department but also well-known in conservative policy circles.
He previously worked with Concerned Veterans for America and has been a regular guest on conservative media, including an interview with Pete Hegseth himself during Hegseth’s tenure as a FOX News host.
Adding a layer of intrigue to Caldwell’s ousting is his reported participation in the so-called “Mike Waltz Houthi Signal chat” group—a private messaging thread involving defense and national security officials and advisors.
The group, named after Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL), had allegedly discussed U.S. policy in the Middle East, particularly regarding the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
While there is no official confirmation that the chat group is connected to the leak under investigation, multiple observers have pointed to Caldwell’s involvement in that group as a potential lead.
Some reports on social media have speculated that sensitive discussions or information shared within that group may have played a role in his removal.
A post from Bluesky Libs noted Caldwell’s inclusion in the chat, hinting at a possible connection between his removal and the ongoing political and military tensions surrounding U.S. policy in the region.
It remains to be seen whether the investigation will draw a direct line between the group’s communications and any breach of protocol.