Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is currently under an unusually extensive personal security detail, reflecting heightened threats to him and his family as the U.S. military monitors potential global security challenges.
According to The Washington Post, Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) agents—typically tasked with investigating serious crimes within the military—have been reassigned in significant numbers to provide continuous protection for Hegseth, his wife Jennifer, and their children at residences in Washington, Minnesota, and Tennessee. Officials note that such a security posture is unprecedented for a defense secretary.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell defended the measures as appropriate, criticizing media scrutiny of security protocols. He emphasized that attention on protective details could put lives at risk, noting that the precautions follow specific threat assessments and recommendations from the Army CID.
The enhanced security comes amid reported threats against Hegseth’s home and ongoing global tensions. An official told The Washington Post that protecting the secretary and his family is considered a “no-fail” mission.
Some officials have raised concerns that the increased security responsibilities are straining CID resources. Hundreds of agents have been reassigned to protective duty, training schedules have been delayed, and reservists have been called in to support the expanded mission. The Pentagon has requested additional funding from Congress to meet these needs.
The Army CID stated that it is “proactively adjusting” to address emerging threats while maintaining operational capacity in both investigations and protective duties. The agency declined to provide details on specific threats, security measures, staffing, or budgets, citing safety concerns.
This report comes as Biden-era CID Director Greg Ford, a career Naval Criminal Investigative Service officer, prepares to leave the agency next month for professional and personal reasons. Ford’s office declined to comment further to The Washington Post.
