Pentagon Polygraphs Dozens of US Military Staff Over Media Leaks: Report
The Pentagon has subjected roughly 50 members of the U.S. military’s Joint Staff to polygraph tests as part of an investigation into leaks of sensitive information to journalists, according to reports published Friday. The unusually broad inquiry focused on disclosures concerning U.S. weapons stockpiles and the impact of the war with Iran on American military resources.
The tests were reportedly conducted in August and involved both military officers and civilian officials. Investigators questioned personnel about whether they had provided classified information to members of the media, including details about reduced stocks of long-range missiles and Patriot air-defense interceptors.
The reported leak investigation comes after several news organizations published information indicating that the prolonged conflict with Iran was putting pressure on supplies of some advanced U.S. munitions. The disclosures raised concerns inside the Pentagon about how sensitive information was reaching the press.
CBS News reported that the scale of the testing was considered highly unusual. Several dozen officials were tested, including personnel associated with U.S. Central Command and other combatant commands, although not every senior military leader was included. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine was reportedly not subjected to the polygraph.
According to officials cited by CBS, none of those tested failed the questions specifically intended to determine whether they had leaked information to the media. Investigators nevertheless examined the possibility that someone with access to restricted information could have disclosed it deliberately, including concerns about potential foreign intelligence involvement.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell declined to discuss individual personnel or investigative matters. He said the Defense Department treats leaks of classified national-security information extremely seriously and is investigating them to protect sensitive information and U.S. troops deployed around the world.
The polygraph effort is part of a wider tightening of access to sensitive information at the Pentagon. The Washington Post reported this week that classified documents connected to the Secretary of Defense Orders Book were removed from an internal SIPRNet portal following reporting about senior military leaders’ concerns over the war with Iran.
The crackdown reflects growing tensions inside the Pentagon over the handling of classified information, military operations and the public disclosure of internal assessments. The administration has increasingly emphasized controlling leaks as the Iran conflict continues and U.S. military resources remain under scrutiny.
