Published Jul 15, 2026, 11:17 AM EDT
The defense secretary's leak task force targets media disclosures amid subpoenas, intelligence-sharing concerns, and questions about his Signal use.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a joint Pentagon and Justice Department task force to identify and prosecute officials who disclose sensitive national defense information to the news media. The crackdown announced Tuesday addresses a legitimate security threat, but it also places Hegseth’s own record under renewed scrutiny after a Pentagon investigation found that his use of Signal violated department policy and created risks for U.S. pilots. Hegseth said the task force would focus on unauthorized disclosures to journalists and warned that “leaked information risks lives.” He gave the Pentagon’s Office of General Counsel authority to obtain information, records and assistance from across the department for leak investigations. He also promised that officials who betray their access to protected information would face the “full force of the law.” The public announcement did not explain the task force’s budget, investigative standards or relationship with the FBI and existing Pentagon counterintelligence offices. Hegseth said he had authorized the Pentagon’s Office of General Counsel to obtain information and assistance from across the department, but he did not identify a particular disclosure that prompted the initiative. He thanked acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and said the two departments were working together more closely than ever.
