Additional Coverage:
Pentagon Investigates Alleged National Security Leaks, Polygraph Tests Possible
The Pentagon has launched investigations into alleged leaks of national security information, including potentially sensitive communications within the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Chief of Staff, Joe Kasper, issued a memo Friday stating that the Pentagon’s intelligence and law enforcement arms are probing these “unauthorized disclosures.”
Kasper’s memo warned that if the investigations identify individuals responsible for leaks, the information will be referred for potential criminal prosecution. The memo also indicated that polygraph tests may be utilized “in accordance with applicable law and policy.”
These investigations follow recent public statements by both President Trump and Elon Musk concerning alleged leaks of classified information. President Trump denied a report about Musk being briefed on a potential war with China. Musk, in turn, criticized the reporting and called for the prosecution of those responsible for leaking information.
This also comes on the heels of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s announcement to increase lie-detector tests for employees to address information leaks regarding immigration enforcement. Furthermore, the Justice Department announced an investigation into alleged leaks of classified information concerning the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
The use of polygraph tests in such investigations is not without controversy. While often used by federal law enforcement and for security clearances, their admissibility in court proceedings is limited due to concerns about reliability.
The Supreme Court ruled in 1998 that they are inadmissible in military court. Leaks within the federal government are a recurring issue across administrations and agencies.