Pentagon disclosure about fired general’s failed polygraph may have violated privacy laws, attorneys say

October 30, 2026 / 12:49 PM EDT / CBS News

Washington — Following the news that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired another Army general this week, a statement shared to media outlets from a Pentagon official said the high-ranking officer had failed polygraph examinations amid an ongoing investigation into alleged leaks of classified information to journalists. The revelation is unusual and raises questions about whether the disclosure violated federal privacy laws.

Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia's ouster from the Joint Staff was first reported by The Atlantic Wednesday evening.

Soon after, social media influencers and news outlets, including CBS News, published a statement that said Sylvia failed three polygraph examinations. Some attorneys say the disclosure could run afoul of the Privacy Act of 1974, which generally prohibits federal agencies from releasing personal information maintained in certain government records without the individual's consent or other legal authorization.

Polygraph results, which are ordinarily maintained in personnel security or counterintelligence records, are protected under the law.

The statement from the official also accused Sylvia of leaking classified information about Iran and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Brad Moss, a Washington, D.C.-based attorney who specializes in national security and security clearance law, told CBS News that the…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/