The Pentagon is pushing back against claims made by the Washington Post regarding Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s extensive personal security needs, suggesting that this scrutiny could jeopardize his family’s safety.
A report from the Post revealed that the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) has been diverting agents from criminal investigations to provide protection at Hegseth’s family residences in Minnesota, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell responded, asserting that the measures taken to ensure Hegseth’s safety are necessary due to a threatening environment and are fully justified.
“It’s quite surprising that the Washington Post would criticize cabinet officials for ensuring their safety, especially with ongoing threats—including two assassination attempts against President Trump and a significant rise in attacks on ICE agents,” the statement highlighted.
While the Post indicated that it withheld some sensitive information, including specifics about Hegseth’s security detail, Parnell accused the media of compromising the privacy of individuals associated with high-level officials.
“When left-leaning outlets like the Washington Post undermine security protocols and publicly disclose information about Cabinet Secretaries, it endangers lives,” he added.
The report comes amid increased security demands faced by Army CID in recent years, aggravated by staffing shortages and budget constraints, with Hegseth’s security needs placing added strain on agents, according to officials.
“We are struggling to fulfill our basic mission,” one source stated.
CID’s primary responsibilities include investigating serious crimes within the Army, such as fraud and sexual assault, as well as protecting high-ranking defense officials like the Pentagon Chief and the Army Secretary.
With approximately 1,500 agents across 150 CID units, the number of personnel available for personal security has plummeted to around 400-500 since the beginning of the year.
This drop can be attributed to the large extended family of Hegseth and a notable increase in politically motivated violence.
To ensure round-the-clock protection for Hegseth, the CID has had to reassign agents from investigations to long-term missions in Tennessee and Minnesota.
As a result, agents are often sidelined from their investigative roles, spending time “sitting in cars in driveways” instead.
In an effort to bridge the staffing gap, CID had to activate military reserves.
The Army CID confirmed to the Post that it operates within limited resources and would continue to coordinate efforts to address emerging threats while maintaining effective security.
Moreover, CID noted that Hegseth has not requested additional coverage and “has never put into practice” the security measures that the agency recommends.
The Pentagon was contacted for further comments.
