Trump official wants to go after a general — but can’t think of a crime

President Donald Trump speaks next to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard

President Donald Trump's top military adviser, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, is reportedly targeting a former general for potential prosecution — but first has to come up with an alleged crime.

"The Pentagon is escalating its crackdown on suspected leakers by trying to make an example of a fired general," reported The Daily Beast's Annabella Rosciglione. "The military is preparing to bring criminal charges against Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, a high-ranking Army officer whom Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired last month, The Washington Post reported."

Rosciglione went on, "The case represents an unusually aggressive effort, even for the Trump administration, to punish senior military leaders for allegedly sharing information with journalists. Sylvia, 54, had reported to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Gen. Dan Caine, working as head of plans and policy."

After elaborating on Hegseth turned on Sylvia due to the former's perception that the latter did not share Trump's policy agenda, The Daily Beast pointed out that the Pentagon has not even come up with official criminal charges against Sylvia despite supposedly prioritizing targeting him.

"Still, questions remain about whether prosecutors could build a viable case against Sylvia, as the government has not charged him with any crimes," The Daily Beast wrote. "Hegseth’s previous attempt to punish supposed leakers within the Pentagon did not go anywhere after it was referred to the Justice Department."

It added, "Additionally, the DOJ has not confirmed if it is looking into the claims against Sylvia, writing in a short statement to the Post that it simply has 'ongoing investigations related to possible leaks of classified information' and that it works closely with 'our government partners,' including DOD. It also remains unclear exactly what Sylvia is alleged to have done, and if a conviction is even possible."

Hegseth's purges of top military brass have been so draconian that even many in his own party have turned on him. In October, Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker (R-MS) said when asked about Hegseth's purges by The Hill, "I wouldn’t have made that a priority if I had been asked. I didn’t get a long lead."

"Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine), who is handling the Pentagon’s request for an emergency supplemental spending package as well as the annual defense spending bill, said the sudden and large reduction of generals and admirals raises questions and concerns," The Hill reported at the time. "Collins said she didn’t get advanced notice of the steep reduction in military leadership ranks. She noted she told Hegseth at a hearing earlier this year that his ouster of senior military officials was 'deeply troubling' and risked 'depriving us' of the 'talent, dedication and patriotism' of women and people of color who were disproportionately pushed out."

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