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US creates task force to prosecute leaks to news media, Hegseth says

By Thomson Reuters Jul 13, 2026 | 9:46 AM

July 13 (Reuters) – The U.S. Department of Justice ​and the ‌Pentagon have created a joint task force to ‌identify ​and prosecute ⁠what Defense ⁠Secretary Pete Hegseth described as unauthorized disclosure of ​sensitive information to news ⁠media.

“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 ​in a ⁠video posted to X.

(Reporting by Ismail Shakil; editing by Michelle ​Nichols )