Hegseth Dismisses Army General as Alaska Senate Race Faces Spoiler Claims
The Pentagon investigation into a leak coincides with a dispute over a Democrat's recruitment of a third-party candidate named Dan Sullivan in Alaska.
By Alina Carter ·
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia on Thursday. Sylvia had served as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and oversaw strategy, planning, and policy at the Pentagon. He was not directly involved in day-to-day operations regarding the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The removal occurs as the United States and Israel prepare for a potential new round of attacks. The Pentagon is investigating a leak but has not provided specific details. Greg Myre of NPR noted that these firings have disrupted senior military operations. The U.S. currently has two aircraft carriers in the Arabian Sea, with a third, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, en route. Myre stated that it is unusual for the U.S. to station multiple carriers in one region, a configuration last seen during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
In Alaska, the governor has ordered an investigation into the state's U.S. Senate race. The inquiry follows a New York Times report indicating that Democratic campaign operatives attempted to recruit a third-party candidate. Republicans argue this candidate could confuse voters and siphon support from incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan. The prospective challenger shares the same name as the incumbent.
Democratic candidate Mary Peltola, a former congresswoman, is aiming to flip the seat. Election law experts spoke with Alaska Public Media and found no applicable laws prohibiting the conduct. They noted, however, that the actions crossed moral and ethical lines. The race is currently considered a toss-up.
President Trump has shifted his campaign strategy for the final stretch before Tuesday's Election Day. He is hosting 19 virtual rallies alongside in-person events to boost voter turnout among at-risk Republicans. Saige Miller of NPR reported that this shift, combined with polling data, suggests Republicans may face challenges in the House. Trump is viewed as a key motivator for his party, though his strategy could also energize Democrats.
The Department of Justice has subpoenaed election workers in Los Angeles. This legal action comes amid rising tensions between California officials and the Trump administration over efforts to identify noncitizens on voter rolls.
An NPR investigation found that more than 15,000 veterans experienced monthly payment increases of at least $150 after the Trump administration shut down the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase program. More than 700 veterans saw their payments rise by $1,000 or more. The program, created under the Biden administration, had helped tens of thousands of veterans by rolling missed payments into new, low-interest mortgages.
