The War and Justice departments announced Monday they would be teaming up for a task force cracking down on individuals who leak sensitive Pentagon information to the media, framing the effort as in the name of protecting personnel.
The new joint task force solidifies the Trump administration’s mission to crack down on what it views as classified information leaks, as the DOJ subpoenaed the Wall Street Journal in March over reporting related to the Iran war.
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In a video announcement, War Secretary Pete Hegseth warned of the dangers of classified information being released to reporters and said the task force will “identify and prosecute leakers.”
“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 to leak sensitive national defense information and secrets betrays the men and women who wear our nation’s uniform,” Hegseth said.
At Hegseth’s direction, the War Department Office of General Counsel will obtain all records relating to leak investigations and work with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to bring legal ramifications against alleged leakers.
“Leaked information risks lives,” Hegseth said. “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 advice. 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 move follows the DOJ issuing subpoenas to the Wall Street Journal, which is owned by Dow Jones & Company, over the outlet’s reports about the Pentagon’s alleged concerns about the risks of the Iran war. While Dow Jones argued that the investigation represents an “attack on constitutionally protected newsgathering,” the Justice Department claimed it was targeting leakers, not journalists.
The two departments have claimed in several instances that media outlets reported on classified information that was shared illegally. In one case, the DOJ has opened an investigation into allegations that a Pentagon contractor illegally retained classified documents and leaked them to Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson, who then published multiple reports that included the sealed information.
As a whole, the Trump administration has brought a number of lawsuits against media outlets it claims have twisted facts or published classified information. FBI Director Kash Patel last month sued the Atlantic over a report about the director’s alleged drinking, and Trump himself has filed lawsuits against the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times over reports about his alleged relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and claims made about the president in the lead-up to the 2024 election.
On Friday, the DOJ issued subpoenas to New York Times journalists over their reporting about security concerns with the new Air Force One plane, which was donated by Qatar.
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In his video announcement, Hegseth said leaks are not a phenomenon unique to the Trump administration, adding that an investigative framework is needed to address today’s threats.
“It’s a principle as old as war, and in the United States goes back to the founding of our republic,” he said. “George Washington himself battled from leaks, insider threats, and espionage. When a leak of department information occurs today, it’s critical that we provide the Department of Justice and other partners in federal law enforcement, including the FBI, with actionable information as quickly as possible.”
