US Domestic — 2026-07-16

Pentagon and DOJ Create Joint Task Force to Prosecute Press Leaks of Classified Information

BLUFCriminal charges against a leaker within 90 days remain very unlikely; the task force functions primarily as a deterrent aimed at chilling press sourcing rather than securing convictions.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Monday that the Pentagon and the Justice Department have formed a joint task force to identify and prosecute leaks of classified information to the press 123. Hegseth said he delegated tasking authority to the War Department's Office of General Counsel, empowering it to "request and receive all information, records and support across the department concerning media leak investigations," with any taskings requiring a "full and complete" response from department components within two days 123. He thanked acting Attorney General Todd Blanche for assistance on the effort 1. The announcement follows weekend subpoenas issued to New York Times journalists over reporting on security concerns tied to a Qatar-donated Air Force One, and comes months after President Trump said the administration was searching for the source of leaks about a missing airman from a downed F-15E fighter jet over Iran 12.

Analysis
Delegating tasking authority to the War Department's Office of General Counsel signals evidence-gathering rather than readiness to charge, and charges against an identified leaker within 90 days are very unlikely given the lengthy grand jury and classification-review processes such prosecutions require. Pressure so far has fallen on journalists compelled to testify rather than on identified leakers, suggesting the near-term effect is chilling press sourcing rather than securing convictions; the initiative may function primarily as a pressure campaign against national-security reporters rather than a genuine investigative apparatus. Confidence is low, resting on Hegseth's own statement as the sole primary source with wire and outlet coverage merely amplifying it. Absent charges within that window, journalists and sources will likely treat the task force as pressure rather than legal risk, shaping how outlets handle sensitive sourcing.

5 sources

Defense, Justice departments to target press leaks - UPI
US creates task force to prosecute leaks to news media, Hegseth says - Military Times
Pete Hegseth launches joint task force to crack down on information leaks - The Hill
Pentagon and Justice Dept. set up task force to investigate leaks - The Washington Post
Video announcement: DEPTOFWAR and DOJ joint task force to identify and prosecute leakers - Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) on X