A high-ranking official within the Department of Defense was placed on administrative leave Tuesday, following a similar move involving another senior aide earlier the same day.
The deputy chief of staff to the Secretary of Defense, Darin Selnick, has been temporarily removed from his position, according to a senior government official. His departure is linked to an ongoing investigation into a possible security breach an inquiry that has already led to the removal of another close aide to the Defense Secretary, Dan Caldwell. Both individuals are currently under administrative review.
Selnick, a retired officer from the U.S. Air Force, has held prominent roles in military and veterans’ affairs. According to his official biography, he has been a strong advocate for service members transitioning to civilian life, drawing on years of experience in both government and advocacy roles.
Both Selnick and Caldwell were previously affiliated with a veterans-focused advocacy group that was once led by the current Secretary of Defense. Their longstanding professional ties have added to the scrutiny surrounding the internal investigation.
The inquiry, launched last month, is focused on unauthorized disclosures of sensitive national security information. Officials have indicated that polygraph testing will be used where appropriate, and the results of the investigation will be reported directly to the Secretary of Defense.
Sources familiar with the situation revealed that the leaks under review may involve strategic discussions related to the Panama Canal and a high-profile visit to the Pentagon by a well-known tech entrepreneur. The investigation remains ongoing, with further developments expected as officials continue to assess the scope and impact of the alleged disclosures.
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