Courtney Williams, a 40-year-old former employee of the US Special Operations Command, was arrested for allegedly leaking classified information to a journalist. The indictment, announced by the Justice Department, claims Williams disclosed sensitive material that could jeopardize national security. Although the arrest comes shortly after President Donald Trump criticized media leaks concerning a military operation to rescue two American airmen in Iran, the indictment is not directly connected to that incident. Williams reportedly communicated with the journalist between 2022 and 2025, during which time the journalist was working on a published article and book. Following the publication, Williams expressed concern about facing severe legal consequences. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the agency is committed to pursuing individuals who compromise national security and warned potential leakers of the consequences of their actions.