Federal task force created to target leaks to news media
US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth delivers remarks before a NATO Defence Ministers meeting at the NATO headquarters, in Brussels, on June 18, 2026. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP via Getty Images)
The Department of Defense, alongside the Department of Justice, announced on Monday a joint partnership to launch a new task force to investigate and prosecute leaks of sensitive War Department information to the news media.
Secretary Pete Hegseth unveiled the new effort, posting to social media saying the task force was created in response to recent unauthorized disclosures involving internal War Department operations, warning that leaks pose serious risks to military readiness and national security.
What they're saying:
The unauthorized disclosure of sensitive war department information has the very real potential to cause exceptionally grave damage to our national security and the operational integrity of our armed forces," Hegseth said in a video posted on X.
Dig deeper:
In a stout push to tighten internal national security, Hegseth said the task force will identify those responsible for leaking protected information and coordinate with federal prosecutors on potential criminal charges.
What they're saying:
Hegseth also commented on what leaking information means to service members, saying, "To leak sensitive national security information and secrets betrays the men and women who wear our nation's uniform."
Leaks in the Trump administration
The Trump administration has been trying to crackdown on leaks to the media and has even recently proposed federal employees to sign non-disclosure agreements.
Some recent leaks the administration has identified are:
- Planned immigration enforcement operations
- Disclosures of confidential operational details prior to a US action overseas
- The release of personal information belonging to approximately 4,500 ICE employees, including frontline enforcement personnel
What's next:
In the announcement, Hegseth added that personnel who misuse or disclose protected information will face significant legal consequences.
"Access to confidential and secret information is a sacred trust. And those who betray that trust will be met with the full force of the law."
The Source: This story was written with information provided by Reuters and Pete Hegseth’s X account. This story was reported from Orlando.