President Donald Trump’s administration is preparing a major crackdown on government leaks with a proposed new rule that could dramatically change how federal employees handle sensitive information.
The White House-backed proposal would encourage federal agencies to adopt strict nondisclosure agreements designed to prevent workers from leaking confidential government material to the media or outside groups.
According to reports, the Office of Personnel Management plans to formally publish the proposal this week, launching a 30-day review process before agencies decide whether to implement the policy.
Supporters say the move is long overdue after years of damaging leaks that exposed law enforcement personnel, national security operations, and internal government discussions.
The proposed agreement would apply to what officials are calling “Confidential Government Information,” a broad category that includes non-public agency records, internal communications, personnel matters, procurement discussions, and sensitive policy deliberations.
Trump administration officials argue that leaking this type of information has become a growing threat to both national security and the safety of federal agents.
The draft proposal reportedly points to several alarming examples.
One case involved leaked details tied to operations concerning Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro before actions were carried out. According to the administration, media organizations delayed publishing portions of the information after concerns were raised that American personnel could be placed in danger.
Another incident involved the release of personal information belonging to thousands of ICE employees, including frontline enforcement agents. The leaked data reportedly included names, addresses, phone numbers, and email accounts.
Administration officials say that disclosure created serious safety concerns for agents and their families at a time when threats against immigration officers have continued to rise nationwide.
Supporters of the new policy argue that private companies routinely require employees to sign confidentiality agreements, especially when handling sensitive or proprietary information. They believe the federal government should operate under similar standards.
“This is about protecting American personnel and safeguarding sensitive government operations,” one official familiar with the proposal reportedly said.
Critics, however, are already attacking the plan, claiming it could discourage whistleblowers or reduce transparency within federal agencies.
Legal experts note that existing federal whistleblower protections would still remain in place. Under current law, government employees are still allowed to report fraud, abuse, misconduct, or illegal activity through authorized legal channels.
The proposal would not automatically become mandatory government-wide. Individual agencies would ultimately decide whether to adopt the nondisclosure agreements after the public review period concludes.
The move comes as President Trump continues pushing to tighten control over the federal bureaucracy while emphasizing law enforcement protection, border security, and national security priorities during his current term.
For many conservatives, the proposal represents another attempt to restore accountability inside Washington after years of politically damaging leaks that repeatedly targeted the Trump administration.