Pentagon to Probe Information Leaks

The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) has ordered an investigation into unauthorized disclosures of classified information.

A memorandum issued on March 21 tasked the Director for Defense Intelligence (Counterintelligence, Law Enforcement, and Security) with leading the probe. The investigation will involve coordination with federal agencies and may include polygraph tests to identify those responsible. Findings will be reported to the Secretary of Defense, and any individuals identified as leakers will be referred for potential criminal prosecution.

Leak origins traced to Musk-led DOGE website

The probe follows a February 2025 incident involving Musk’s newly launched Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) website, which accidentally posted classified U.S. intelligence data. DOGE, an advisory body created by a Trump executive order, aims to cut government spending and bureaucracy but has faced criticism over transparency and legality.

Despite not being an official agency, DOGE is tasked with improving efficiency and must complete its work by July 2026. Its young, tech-oriented staff focus on reducing national debt and bureaucracy. Reported actions include identifying alleged fraud, canceling diversity contracts, cutting USAID funding, offering buyouts to two million federal workers, and attempting to shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

The site, intended to provide federal staffing and budget details, excluded military and intelligence agencies but still revealed classified workforce and budget information on the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Intelligence officers rushed to assess the exposure, and an anonymous Defense Intelligence Agency official confirmed the breach.

Concerns arose over how Musk's team obtained the information, with some suggesting its young programmers lacked awareness of the data's sensitivity. The NRO deferred comments to DOGE, while the White House denied any classified leaks, calling contrary claims false. DOGE also faced a separate controversy when hackers posted hoax messages criticizing the site’s security.

Musk denies China briefing, warns leakers will be found

A New York Times report alleged that the Pentagon planned to brief Musk, a top adviser to former President Donald Trump, on U.S. military strategies in a potential conflict with China. The Pentagon and Trump denied the claim. After the report, Musk reposted Trump’s denial and called the New York Times “pure propaganda,” warning that Pentagon leakers “will be found.”

On March 21, Musk met with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon for 80 minutes to discuss defense innovation and government efficiency. A planned meeting between Musk and the Joint Chiefs of Staff in “The Tank,” a secure Pentagon conference room, did not occur.

Musk’s defense contracts with SpaceX and Starlink, along with his ties to China, have raised concerns in Washington. Democratic senators have requested details on Musk’s briefing, while the White House maintains that he would recuse himself from government discussions if conflicts of interest arose.

Musk has a history of aggressively targeting leaks within his companies, using legal threats and tracking systems. Analysts suggest his tactics could influence future government policies on information security and transparency.