AI Image
Hegseth bans DoD personnel from using nonpublic info to bet on U.S. military operations
CBS News • • world
Key Points:
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has banned Defense Department personnel from using nonpublic information to bet on U.S. military operations, including on prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi, as stated in an Oct. 20 memorandum.
- The prohibition covers both classified and unclassified information, aiming to prevent financial transactions that could reveal sensitive military movements to foreign adversaries and endanger American troops.
- Hegseth emphasized that betting activity creates signals that enemy intelligence services could exploit to anticipate U.S. military operations, with violations subject to disciplinary or criminal action under federal law or the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
- The directive follows increased scrutiny after a U.S. Special Forces soldier was arrested for allegedly betting over $33,000 on Maduro's removal before the operation was public, resulting in winnings exceeding $409,000.
