The US Justice Department and Pentagon have created a joint task force to identify and prosecute unauthorized disclosures of sensitive information to the press. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the initiative, empowering the Pentagon's Office of General Counsel to lead investigations.
The creation of this joint task force represents an escalation in the Trump administration's efforts to curb leaks of sensitive information, potentially impacting press freedom and the ability of journalists to report on government matters.
The U.S. Department of Justice and the Pentagon have established a joint task force to address unauthorized disclosures of sensitive information to the news media. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the initiative, stating that he has delegated tasking authority to the War Department's Office of General Counsel. This office will be empowered to request and receive all necessary information, records, and support across the department concerning media leak investigations. Hegseth emphasized that leaked information risks lives and that the new tools and processes will assist in protecting the joint force. He stated that access to confidential and secret information is a sacred trust and those who betray it will face the full force of the law. He also thanked acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche for his assistance. The formation of the task force comes after the New York Times reported that the Trump administration issued subpoenas to several of its journalists. These subpoenas were reportedly related to security concerns raised about a new aircraft gifted to Donald Trump by Qatar, which the Times had reported on, citing anonymous sources. The Justice Department clarified that the reporters themselves are not the targets, but rather the individuals leaking classified information. David McCraw, the New York Times's top newsroom lawyer, condemned the subpoenas, calling the appearance of federal law enforcement agents at reporters' doors a threat to constitutional press freedom. The National Press Club also expressed alarm, stating the subpoenas threaten the public's constitutional right to an independent press. This action follows previous instances where the Justice Department sought to compel testimony from journalists at other news organizations, and in one case, raided the home of a reporter.
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