President Donald Trump’s administration is proposing new restrictions on federal employees who share government information with journalists, as the White House continues its push to tighten control over internal leaks.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which oversees the federal workforce, released a draft non-disclosure agreement (NDA) on May 26 that federal agencies could require employees to sign.

The proposed agreement would allow agencies to pursue civil and criminal penalties against workers accused of disclosing confidential information to the media without authorization.

The draft policy would apply to both current and former government employees. Former staff members could also be required to seek written permission from an authorized agency official before discussing certain government information with journalists after leaving office.

The proposal marks the latest move by the Trump administration to crack down on unauthorized disclosures and strengthen control over information leaving federal agencies.

Draft Agreement Expands Restrictions

According to the draft released by OPM, employees who violate the agreement could face legal consequences for disclosing information classified by the administration as confidential.

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The document also states that the government could claim any profits or royalties earned through unauthorized disclosures. The proposal does not clearly define how such financial penalties would be enforced.

OPM Director Scott Kupor defended the proposal in a statement, saying confidentiality agreements are common in the private sector.

“In much of the private sector, employees handling sensitive business or customer information are routinely required to sign confidentiality agreements, and the federal government should not be held to a lower standard,” Kupor said.

The administration said agencies would have the option to decide whether to require workers to sign the agreements.

The proposed policy would not apply to whistleblower disclosures made to Congress or government watchdog agencies. Federal law protects workers who report fraud, abuse, or misconduct through official oversight channels.

Trump Administration Intensifies Media Disputes

The proposed NDAs come as Trump continues an aggressive approach toward news organizations and journalists during his current term in office.

Since returning to the White House, Trump and members of his administration have filed several lawsuits against major media companies over reports they argue were inaccurate or misleading.

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The lawsuits have sought billions of dollars in damages, although courts have frequently ruled in favor of media organizations.

Trump has also repeatedly accused news outlets of spreading “fake news” and has publicly criticized reporters covering his administration.

The administration has taken additional steps affecting media access. Earlier this year, the White House restricted access for some journalists, including members of the Associated Press, while the Pentagon introduced tighter rules governing reporters covering military matters.

Reuters previously reported that some Defense Department officials working on sensitive operations in Latin America had already been asked to sign confidentiality agreements under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Transparency and Accountability

The administration argues the proposal is necessary to protect sensitive government information and reduce unauthorized leaks that officials say can damage national security and government operations.

The draft agreement raises questions about how the administration defines “confidential” information and whether agencies could use the policy broadly against employees who communicate with reporters.