Hegseth fires the Pentagon's top military planner

Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia was removed Wednesday as head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a defence official said. No reason was given and no replacement has been named.

Sylvia is the second general ousted from the post, known as the J5, under Hegseth. The firing comes as Trump weighs renewed strikes on Iran.

Cut to top officer ranks by Jan 1, 2027

20 %

Nearly two dozen generals, admirals and other military leaders have been fired or have left under Hegseth. He has ordered a 20 per cent cut in top officer ranks by Jan 1, 2027.

"I call it accountability and long overdue."

— Pete Hegseth, US defence secretary, on Sep 30