Former Defense Aide Hired by DNI After Investigation

Dan Caldwell, a former aide to the Defense Department, has been appointed by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) despite being previously removed from his role amid a data breach investigation. Caldwell, who had been a senior advisor to Army Secretary Pete Hegseth, takes on an advisory position focused on intelligence coordination and the President’s Daily Report.

His previous termination occurred in April 2025 after accusations of fraudulent disclosure related to classified information, which he allegedly shared with Deputy Secretary of Defense Colin Carroll and Hegseth’s Chief of Staff Darin Selnick. Despite these challenges, an ODNI spokesperson assured that Caldwell underwent comprehensive background checks, with no evidence supporting the claim that he leaked any sensitive documents.

Following an 11-month investigation, Caldwell and his colleagues were cleared of any wrongdoing, which is certainly a relief. Interestingly, the reactions to his new role have been largely positive among Republicans. Donald Trump Jr. referred to him as “America’s first warrior,” while journalist Megyn Kelly expressed her congratulations on social media.

After his dismissal, Caldwell maintained his innocence during an appearance on the Tucker Carlson Show, emphasizing concerns about the potential consequences of a war with Iran. He discussed the risks involved—namely the loss of life, financial impact, and destabilization in the region.

Before his tenure at the Pentagon, Caldwell served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His new appointment follows the resignation of National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent, who stepped down due to opposition to military action against Iran.