Hegseth and DOJ Launch Task Force to Combat Journalist Leaks

WHO:

Alternet - Secretary Pete Hegseth stated, "I have delegated tasking authority to the [Department of Defense's] Office of General Counsel, empowering OGC to request and receive all information, records and support across the department concerning media leak investigations."

NY Post - Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth announced the creation of a joint task force with the Department of Justice (DOJ).

WHAT:

Alternet - Hegseth's actions were described as risking "potential compromise of sensitive DoD information, which could cause harm to DoD personnel and mission objectives."

NY Post - The task force aims to identify and prosecute officials who leak "sensitive information" to the media.

Fox News - Hegseth stated the task force will operate "with the full force of the law."

WHERE:

NY Post - The announcement pertains to actions involving the Pentagon and the DOJ.

WHY:

Alternet - Hegseth's actions were criticized for creating a risk to operational security that could have resulted in failed U.S. mission objectives and potential harm to U.S. pilots.

Fox News - The task force is being created to combat the issue of leaks to journalists.

HOW:

Alternet - The Inspector General's report found that Hegseth used the Signal app to leak classified information to his family outside the Pentagon.

NY Post - The task force will focus on identifying and prosecuting individuals responsible for leaking sensitive information.

(UPDATED July 14, 2026 06:44 UTC)

Secretary Pete Hegseth has delegated tasking authority to the Department of Defense's Office of General Counsel, allowing them to request and receive all information related to media leak investigations. His actions have raised concerns about the potential compromise of sensitive DoD information, which could endanger personnel and mission objectives, and have been criticized for risking operational security. Additionally, an Inspector General's report revealed that Hegseth used the Signal app to leak classified information to his family outside the Pentagon.

--

(UPDATED July 14, 2026 05:46 UTC)

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has announced the creation of a joint task force with the Department of Justice aimed at identifying and prosecuting officials who leak sensitive information to the media. Hegseth emphasized that this task force will operate with the full force of the law to combat the ongoing issue of leaks to journalists. The initiative will focus specifically on actions involving both the Pentagon and the DOJ.