Army Veteran Charged for Sharing Classified Details of Elite Commando Unit

Courtney Williams accused of violating nondisclosure agreements and putting U.S. military and allies at risk

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:20pm

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An extreme close-up of a military-grade communications device or surveillance equipment, its metallic surface and intricate components dramatically illuminated by a harsh flash of light against a pitch-black backdrop, conveying a sense of the high-stakes, covert nature of the classified information at the center of this case.A recent wave of alleged leaks of classified military intelligence has exposed tensions between national security and transparency.Wagram Today

A 40-year-old U.S. Army veteran named Courtney Williams has been charged with sharing classified information about an elite commando unit at Fort Bragg, North Carolina with a journalist. The FBI alleges Williams' actions put the country, members of the military, and the nation's allies at risk.

Why it matters

This case highlights the serious consequences for current and former military personnel who disclose classified information, even if the intent is to expose alleged misconduct. It raises questions about balancing national security and transparency, as well as the treatment of whistleblowers.

The details

According to the FBI, Williams was a Department of Defense employee who worked as an operational support technician for a 'special military unit' at Fort Bragg. She is accused of violating federal law and multiple nondisclosure agreements by sharing details about the unit's 'Tactics, Techniques and Procedures' with a journalist between 2022 and 2025. The government alleges Williams had over 10 hours of phone calls and 180 messages with the journalist, and intended to provide at least 10 batches of classified documents.

  • Williams was cleared as a defense contractor in April 2010 and became a DoD employee in November 2010.
  • Williams' access to classified information was suspended in 2015 based on an internal investigation.
  • Williams was debriefed and signed a nondisclosure agreement in September 2015.
  • A Politico article about Williams was published in 2025, coinciding with the release of a book by the journalist.

The players

Courtney Williams

A 40-year-old U.S. Army veteran from Wagram, North Carolina who is accused of sharing classified information about an elite commando unit with a journalist.

Seth Harp

The journalist who wrote a Politico article and book about the Army's secretive Delta Force, which allegedly included classified information provided by Courtney Williams.

Reid Davis

The FBI special agent in charge in North Carolina who said Williams' alleged actions were 'reckless, self-serving and damages our nation's security.'

Roman Rozhavsky

An assistant director of the FBI's Counterintelligence and Espionage Division who said Williams 'allegedly betrayed that oath by sharing classified information with a media outlet and putting our nation, our warfighters, and our allies at risk.'

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What they’re saying

“Anyone divulging information they vowed to protect to a reporter for publication is reckless, self-serving and damages our nation's security.”

— Reid Davis, FBI Special Agent in Charge

“Courtney Williams 'swore an oath to safeguard our nation's secrets as an employee supporting a Special Military Unit of the Army, but she allegedly betrayed that oath by sharing classified information with a media outlet and putting our nation, our warfighters, and our allies at risk.”

— Roman Rozhavsky, Assistant Director, FBI Counterintelligence and Espionage Division

“Former Delta Force operators disclose `national defense information' on podcasts and YouTube shows every day, but the government is going after Courtney for the sole reason that she exposed sexual harassment and gender discrimination in the unit. This is a vindictive act of retaliation, plain and simple.”

— Seth Harp

What’s next

Williams is scheduled to appear in federal court in Raleigh, North Carolina for hearings early next week. The judge will decide whether to allow her to be released on bail pending further legal proceedings.

The takeaway

This case highlights the delicate balance between national security and transparency, as well as the challenges whistleblowers face when exposing alleged misconduct in sensitive military units. It raises questions about how the government handles leaks of classified information, even when the intent is to shed light on wrongdoing.