Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated Tuesday that prosecuting individuals who leak classified information to reporters remains a priority for the Trump administration, citing risks to national security and service members.
In a post on X on May 12, Blanche responded to media inquiries: “Prosecuting leakers who share our nation’s secrets with reporters, in turn risking our national security and the lives of our soldiers, is a priority for this administration. Any witness, whether a reporter or otherwise, who has information about these criminals should not be surprised if they receive a subpoena about the illegal leaking of classified material.”
To the media asking about DOJ investigating the leaking of classified information:
Prosecuting leakers who share our nation’s secrets with reporters, in turn risking our national security and the lives of our soldiers, is a priority for this administration. Any witness, whether…
— Acting AG Todd Blanche (@DAGToddBlanche) May 12, 2026
The statement follows reports that President Donald Trump directed the Department of Justice to investigate leaks related to recent developments in Iran, per The Wall Street Journal.
This enforcement approach intersects with broader administrative efforts on free speech, including in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. The White House’s March 2026 National AI Legislative Framework calls on Congress to prevent government coercion of AI providers to censor lawful content while protecting First Amendment rights.
Leaks and Accountability
Classified leaks have drawn repeated scrutiny. The DOJ has pursued investigations into selective leaks of classified information in the past.
Blanche made the following statement on March 21, 2025:
“The Justice Department is opening a criminal investigation relating to the selective leak of inaccurate, but nevertheless classified, information from the Intelligence Community relating to Tren de Aragua (TDA). We will not tolerate politically motivated efforts by the Deep State to undercut President Trump’s agenda by leaking false information onto the pages of their allies at the New York Times. The Alien Enemies Proclamation is supported by fact, law, and common sense, which we will establish in court and then expel the TDA terrorists from this country.”
More recently, Trump complained to Blanche about classified leaks related to U.S. military actions and the conflict with Iran. Trump reportedly handed Blanche a stack of news articles marked with a “Treason” sticky note and directed the DOJ to aggressively pursue the sources, per the WSJ.
The probe focuses on government officials — primarily in the Department of Defense and other national security agencies — who allegedly disclosed sensitive information about Iran’s war operations, strategy, and intelligence. The Justice Department has issued grand jury subpoenas to reporters and news organizations, including The Wall Street Journal, seeking records to identify the leakers.
Subpoenas to journalists remain exceedingly rare and have sparked debate over the balance between national security and press freedom, The New York Times noted.
Other examples of leak cases include historical actions against officials for unauthorized disclosures. In one instance, former FBI Director James Comey faced scrutiny for the handling of classified materials, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. The current DOJ has pursued additional charges against Comey for alleged leaks.
Free Speech, AI, and Responsibility
The administration’s AI framework explicitly addresses free speech, with pillar four stating: “The Federal government must defend free speech and First Amendment protections, while preventing AI systems from being used to silence or censor lawful political expression or dissent. AI cannot become a vehicle for government to dictate right and wrong-think.” It recommends barring federal agencies from pressuring AI developers on ideological grounds and creating redress mechanisms.
This stance responds to past instances of alleged AI and platform censorship. Google faced accusations of deplatforming conservative speech, as noted in DOJ remarks by then-Deputy Attorney General Blanche in a 2025 antitrust context.
Lawsuits illustrate tensions. xAI has challenged state AI regulations in Colorado and California, arguing that rules governing algorithmic outputs implicate protected speech, according to multiple outlets, including the Cato Institute and Fulcrum. Courts have recognized algorithms as a form of speech in related cases.
Responsibility for content moderation and leaks falls across government, media, and private entities. The AI framework urges federal preemption of fragmented state laws to promote consistent innovation and speech protections, while leaving core IP and fair use issues to the courts, Holland & Knight noted.
The DOJ maintains investigations target illegal conduct, not journalism itself. Blanche has emphasized that cases proceed through independent processes, per CBS News.
As AI tools proliferate for newsgathering, analysis, and dissemination, the interplay among leak enforcement, national security, and constitutional protections continues to evolve. The administration’s positions stress accountability for unauthorized disclosures alongside safeguards against government-driven censorship in technology.
