The Pentagon's ongoing investigation into unauthorized leaks of classified information has taken a significant step forward, with two more senior officials placed on administrative leave. This move follows the earlier suspension of Dan Caldwell, a senior adviser at the Pentagon, who was removed from his post after an "unauthorized disclosure" came to light.

The investigation, which began with a March 21 memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's chief of staff, Joe Kasper, now involves Darin Selnick and Colin Carroll. Selnick, a retired Air Force officer, had recently taken on the role of deputy chief of staff to Hegseth. Prior to this, he had served as the acting lead adviser on personnel and readiness policies. Carroll, a Marine Corps veteran, had previously worked for the defense tech company Anduril Industries, an AI-driven defense startup. He also served as chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg.

Both Selnick and Carroll have been placed on administrative leave as part of the ongoing investigation into the leaks. The Pentagon is reportedly considering the use of polygraph tests to help determine the source of the disclosures, although it remains unclear whether either official has been subjected to such testing.

The probe has brought renewed attention to the Pentagon’s efforts to curb unauthorized leaks, which have been a persistent issue within the Department of Defense. The Trump administration, supported by Hegseth, has been particularly aggressive in addressing leaks and emphasizing the importance of protecting sensitive national security information.

The investigation highlights the Pentagon’s commitment to ensuring the integrity of classified communications and addressing the internal challenges posed by unauthorized disclosures. The Department of Defense continues to scrutinize internal procedures, working to prevent further leaks and uphold security measures vital to the nation’s defense.