Justice Department investigates leaked intelligence about gang crackdown

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In a significant development, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Friday that the Department of Justice is initiating a criminal investigation into the unauthorized disclosure of classified intelligence. The leak appeared to be an attempt to undermine Trump’s application of the Alien Enemies Act in deporting members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TDA).

Blanche strongly condemned the leak as a politically driven effort by what he termed the “Deep State” to sabotage President Trump’s initiatives, particularly regarding gang enforcement.

“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),” Blanche said in a statement.

FBI agents leaked information on upcoming ICE operations to Tren De Aragua illegal alien violent gang members hiding in America?

Sounds about right. Also sounds like aiding and abetting and possibly treason.

I wonder if it was the same agents that wore body armor and COVID… pic.twitter.com/9Ivi8ZfYVV

— Mrgunsngear (@Mrgunsngear) February 11, 2025

He added, “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.”

The classified information surfaced in a New York Times article that appeared designed to challenge Trump’s recent Alien Enemies Proclamation, an executive order issued to remove violent foreign gang members who entered during the Biden administration’s border policies.

According to the Times’ reporting, a February intelligence assessment suggested the TDA threat was less severe than portrayed and disputed claims about state sponsorship or systematic targeting of Americans – assertions that contradict documented evidence.

The Trump administration has officially designated Tren de Aragua as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, citing their involvement in serious criminal activities including human trafficking, narcotics distribution, and extortion schemes.

Deep State Leakers Exposed, Swift Punishment Coming For Them. Do You Think This Punishment Is Enough#MAGAhttps://t.co/1MgKDSigO2

— Another Trump War Room (@TrumpMagaChick) March 8, 2025

The Times responded defensively to news of the investigation through their spokesperson, Danielle Rhoades Ha, who stated: “Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of democracy and critical for citizens to hold their government accountable. Leak investigations are meant to chill communications between journalists and sources, and undermine the ability of a free press to bring out vital information that may otherwise be hidden.”

She further defended their reporting, saying: “Our story raised fundamental questions about whether the American people were getting a straight story about an important national security issue. That is precisely what journalists should be doing, no matter which party is in office.”

Meanwhile, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk met with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon, where he advocated for prosecuting officials who leak false information. Musk, who holds multiple Defense Department contracts, dismissed reports about receiving classified briefings on China war plans as propaganda.