Trump administration proposes NDAs for all federal employees to curb leaks
Updated on: May 26, 2026 / 5:43 PM EDT / CBS/AP
TL;DR
- The Trump administration is proposing that all federal employees sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
- The goal is to curb press leaks and safeguard non-public information.
- The proposed NDA aims to document employees' acknowledgment of existing legal obligations.
- It explicitly preserves rights to make legally authorized disclosures, including whistleblower protections.
- Legal experts question the potential impact on First Amendment rights and whistleblower protections, depending on the NDA's final scope.
- The OPM cited examples of unauthorized disclosures related to rulemaking, policy development, and immigration enforcement actions.
- The administration has prioritized locating leaks, with recent instances including the seizure of a reporter's devices and new Pentagon press rules.