Hegseth creates joint task force with DOJ to identify, prosecute leakers of sensitive information

War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Monday that the Pentagon and the Justice Department have created a joint task force to identify and prosecute leakers of sensitive and classified information.

The task force creation comes after the Justice Department subpoenaed four New York Times reporters last week, looking for the source behind its story on security concerns involving President Trump’s Qatari-donated plane.

Hegseth said the Pentagon's Office of General Counsel will be able to have access to all information, support and records in the War Department regarding news media leak investigations that are requested, and all offices are ordered to prioritize those requests.

“Leaked information risks lives. These new tools and processes will greatly assist us in protecting our joint force. The security of our nation cannot be a bargaining chip for those who seek momentary headlines,” Hegseth said in a video posted to X. “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.” 

Hegseth said that all information and tasks that the Pentagon's OGC requests will need to be responded to within two days.

The task force comes after Hegseth came under fire last year for leaking sensitive information in a Signal chat that accidentally included an editor from The Atlantic magazine. The chat included a discussion on pending U.S. strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen. 

The task force is also Hegseth's latest attempt to limit reporters' access to the Pentagon. Hegseth last month blocked reporters from accessing its press office by turning it into a classified space, so that speechwriters can use it privately. Access to the Pentagon's press secretary and Assistant to the Secretary of War for Public Affairs remains available by appointment.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.