Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Monday that the Department of Defense has established a joint task force with the Justice Department to identify and prosecute individuals who leak classified information.
The task force, operating under the Office of General Counsel, will be empowered to request and receive all relevant data, support, and records related to leak investigations across the Pentagon. All Defense Department components are instructed to prioritize these requests, and any tasking issued must receive a full and complete response within two days.
Hegseth emphasized that leaked information poses a direct threat to national security and the lives of service members. He stated that the new tools and processes will strengthen the protection of the joint force and that breaches of confidential and secret information will be met with the full force of the law.
This initiative reflects a broader effort to address the persistent issue of information leaks that have surfaced in previous administrations. By establishing clear accountability measures, the Department aims to deter individuals from compromising national security for short‑term headlines.
