The United States Department of Defense and the Department of Justice established a joint taskforce on Monday to identify and prosecute individuals responsible for unauthorized disclosures of sensitive information to the media, as reported by The Guardian.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the immediate escalation of the administration's crackdown on leaks through a video statement broadcast on X.
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"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," Hegseth said.
Hegseth emphasized national security concerns regarding the dissemination of confidential records to reporters.
"Leaked information risks lives. These new tools and processes will greatly assist us in protecting our joint force," he said.
The defense secretary also pointed out that access to secret information is a sacred trust.
"The security of our nation cannot be a bargaining chip for those who seek momentary headlines.
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.
The Defense Department noted its close coordination with federal prosecutors to enforce the new measures.
Hegseth thanked acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche "for his help in this important project."
He expressed satisfaction with the current level of interdepartmental cooperation, saying he is "proud that our departments are working together closer than we have ever before."
