Pentagon and Justice Department form joint task force to prosecute leaks

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Monday the creation of a joint task force between the Pentagon and the Justice Department to identify and prosecute officials who disclose sensitive information to the media. The task force will operate under the Pentagon’s Office of General Counsel, which has been given authority to request and receive all information, records and support across the department concerning media leak investigations.

Task force authority and scope Hegseth said the new unit will act “effectively immediately” and will use the full force of the law against those who leak classified or sensitive material. The Office of General Counsel will coordinate with Justice Department prosecutors on cases involving unauthorized disclosures.

Administration context The announcement marks the latest step in the administration’s broader effort to reduce leaks of internal information to journalists. Hegseth posted a video statement on X outlining the delegation of tasking authority to the Office of General Counsel.

““To combat the dangers that leaks pose, effectively immediately, I have delegated tasking authority to the war department’s office of general counsel, empowering OGC to request and receive all information, records and support across the department concerning media leak investigations.””

The joint task force will focus on identifying the source of leaks and supporting criminal prosecutions where evidence supports charges.