Source: Fox News
Summary
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth announced the creation of a joint task force with the Department of Justice to identify and prosecute officials who leak “sensitive information” to the media. Hegseth delegated tasking authority to the Pentagon’s Office of General Counsel to request and receive all information, support, and records across the department regarding news media leak investigations. The move comes after the DOJ issued subpoenas to four New York Times reporters, which was widely criticized by press freedom groups. Hegseth has sought to crack down on leaks to the media since taking over as head of the Pentagon last year.
Our Reading
As expected, the matter has reached another stage.
Hegseth’s announcement is a familiar move in the ongoing effort to control the flow of information to the media. The Pentagon’s Office of General Counsel will now have the authority to request and receive all information, support, and records across the department regarding news media leak investigations. The joint task force with the Department of Justice is another step in this direction. The move has been met with criticism from press freedom groups, who see it as an attempt to intimidate reporters. The Pentagon’s efforts to restrict reporters’ access to information have been ongoing, with Hegseth previously attempting to impose restrictions on reporters covering the Pentagon.
The scene is set: the Pentagon, the Department of Justice, and the media are once again engaged in a familiar dance, with the Pentagon seeking to control the narrative and the media pushing for transparency.
Author: Evan Null
