Pentagon Polygraphs 50 Joint Staff Members in War Leak Probe
Investigators questioned officers and civilian staff on whether they disclosed classified munitions data, as no one failed the leak probe, officials said.
- The Pentagon recently subjected roughly 50 Joint Staff members to polygraph tests as part of an aggressive leak investigation, according to The New York Times, which first reported the extraordinary investigative step.
- Investigators initiated the testing in August after reports detailed critical shortages of long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors amid the ongoing Iran war, which reportedly infuriated President Donald Trump.
- While polygraphs are routine for top clearances, the mass volume of testing was "extraordinary," according to The Times, as investigators questioned staff on whether they disclosed classified details to the press.
- In a statement on Friday night, Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said 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."
- No officials failed the leak-related questions, although Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previously threatened similar polygraph measures in March of last year after Pentagon leaks involving Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
291 Articles
291 Articles
Defense One
Cobb County CourierThe Pentagon is using polygraphs to hunt leakers, but the tests are more theater than fact
In August, government investigators subjected roughly 50 military officers and civilian employees on the Joint Staff to polygraph tests as part of an inquiry into press leaks about the Iran war and depleted U.S. munitions, according to The New York Times. The newspaper described the scope of the investigation as unprecedented in the modern military. This is not the first time the Trump administration has used polygraphs in this way; in 2025, it …
The Independent
The Independent (US)Pentagon continues to rely on the pseudoscience of lie detector tests to hunt leakers
Polygraphs are ‘pseudo-scientific’ in that they measure physiological responses such as heart rate, blood pressure and perspiration
The Conversation
The Pentagon is using polygraphs to hunt leakers, but the tests are more theater than fact
Polygraphs measure heart rate, blood pressure and perspiration, though there are no specific physiological reactions associated with lying. standret/iStock via Getty Images PlusIn August 2026, government investigators subjected roughly 50 military officers and civilian employees on the Joint Staff to polygraph tests as part of an inquiry into press leaks about the Iran war and depleted U.S. munitions, according to The New York Times. The newspap…
Pentagon advances Polygraph Next amid extraordinary Joint Staff leak probe
The Pentagon is launching a $30.3 million effort to develop a next-generation polygraph system as department leaders turn to lie-detector examinations in an unusually broad hunt for potential leaks from the Joint Staff, putting new attention on technology traditionally used for security vetting and targeted counterintelligence investigations. In its fiscal year 2027 budget request, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency included $6.…
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