3 hrs ago
Pentagon Gives Polygraph Tests to Joint Staff in Leak Hunt
The Pentagon is trying to find out who shared secret information with reporters.
The information was about fewer supplies of important weapons during the war with Iran.
About 50 military and civilian workers connected to the Joint Staff reportedly took lie detector tests.
Investigators asked whether they had given classified information to journalists.
The tests did not clearly identify a leaker.
Officials also worried that someone with access might be helping a foreign intelligence service.
President Donald Trump strongly criticized the reports about shortages.
Some people say the large investigation could scare workers away from sharing information in the future.
Roughly 50 military officers and civilian employees on the Joint Staff reportedly underwent polygraph tests in August.
Investigators questioned whether officials disclosed classified information about diminished stocks of long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors.
No examinee reportedly failed questions specifically designed to identify leaks to journalists, and Gen. Dan Caine was not tested.
The Pentagon said it does not comment on internal investigations but takes classified leaks seriously; the FBI was not involved in the examinations.
President Donald Trump called reports about weapons shortages treasonous and fake news, while critics described the mass testing as unprecedented and intimidating.
- Who
- Roughly 50 United States military and civilian personnel working with the Joint Staff were reportedly tested; the Pentagon and its military investigators conducted the examinations.
- What
- A large polygraph-based investigation sought the source of leaks about classified United States weapons-stockpile information.
- Where
- The investigation was conducted within the United States Department of Defense and involved Joint Staff personnel.
- When
- The examinations reportedly took place in August. The articles also describe earlier or later reported polygraph-related leak investigations in March 2025 and May 2026.
- Why
- Investigators sought to identify people who disclosed classified information, protect national security and troops, and determine whether someone with access might be acting as a foreign intelligence asset.
National Security Justification
Intimidation and Civil-Liberties Concerns
Purpose of the tests
National Security Justification
The Pentagon and administration say leak investigations are needed to secure classified information and protect the United States and troops. Officials also examined whether an insider could be working for a foreign intelligence service.
Intimidation and Civil-Liberties Concerns
People familiar with the effort told The New York Times that the testing was also intended to intimidate others who might consider leaking information.
Claims about weapons shortages
National Security Justification
Donald Trump rejected reports of strategic weapons shortages, calling the coverage treasonous and fake news and saying the United States had massive amounts of weaponry.
Intimidation and Civil-Liberties Concerns
Multiple news organizations reported that the war with Iran had diminished stocks of crucial munitions, including long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors; the articles do not independently resolve the dispute.
Scale of polygraph use
National Security Justification
Polygraphs are used for some personnel with access to highly classified information, and Pentagon officials say classified leaks must be investigated.
Intimidation and Civil-Liberties Concerns
The mass testing of roughly 50 relatively senior Joint Staff personnel was described as unprecedented or extremely rare, raising concerns about pressure on officials and potential limits on how such examinations are used.
Key facts
- People tested
- Roughly 50 military officers and civilian employees connected to the Joint Staff reportedly underwent polygraph examinations.
- Joint Staff size
- Between 1,500 and 2,000 officers and officials work for the Joint Staff, according to the report.
- Test timing
- The examinations were reportedly conducted in August after reports about diminished munitions stocks.
- Information involved
- The leaks concerned shortages or dwindling stocks of long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors during the war with Iran.
- Reported result
- No one reportedly failed questions specifically intended to determine whether they had leaked information to journalists.
- Senior official excluded
- Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was reportedly not tested.
- Investigating agency
- The latest examinations were conducted by military investigators; the Federal Bureau of Investigation was not involved.
Quotes
Sean Parnell
Pentagon spokesperson
“The Department does not comment on internal personnel or investigative matters but takes all leaks of classified national security information extremely seriously and investigates accordingly. Securing classified information is critical to ensuring the security of the United States and of our troops deployed around the world.”
telegraphindia.com
firstpost.com
“When a leak of department information occurs today, it's critical that we provide the Department of Justice and other partners in federal law enforcement — including the FBI — with actionable information as quickly as possible.”
firstpost.com
Donald J. Guter
Retired Navy rear admiral and former top judge advocate general
“I’ve never seen polygraphs employed this broadly or at this seniority level. In my experience, it’s unprecedented.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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