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

By Reuters Reuters
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room at the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 27, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room at the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 27, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci/File Photo Evan Vucci 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 )

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 10:46 AM.

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