Multiple branches of the federal government are now investigating leaks involving sensitive information, with polygraph tests back on the table for employees under suspicion. The Pentagon, Department of Homeland Security and Justice Department have all launched efforts to identify the sources behind unauthorized disclosures.
A memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s chief of staff, Joe Kasper, called for immediate steps to investigate breaches of national security information involving communication with top Pentagon leaders. Though the memo did not specify the leaked content, it left the door open to criminal prosecution and polygraph use.
Pentagon announces investigation into leaks, which could include polygraph tests https://t.co/N6K1j8aTmX
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 23, 2025
The action followed news reports claiming Elon Musk would be briefed on how the U.S. would respond in a military conflict with China. President Donald Trump quickly pushed back on that story. Musk also said those leaking “maliciously false information” would be held accountable.
🚨NEW: Department of Defense to polygraph employees in new investigation into leaks to media at the Pentagon.
Find them, prosecute them.
Leaks should not be tolerated.
🇺🇸
— Walter Curt (@WCdispatch_) March 23, 2025
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has also promised an expansion of lie detector screenings to find staff leaking to the press. Around the same time, the Justice Department launched a separate probe into what it described as the classified but inaccurate release of details regarding the Tren de Aragua gang. Members of the gang are now being targeted for removal under the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts.
Polygraphs, while widely used for federal background checks, face ongoing criticism. Courts have generally rejected the exams as evidence because of concerns about their reliability. The Supreme Court confirmed in 1998 that military courts cannot admit polygraph results.
George Maschke, a former Army intelligence officer, now runs a website opposing the use of polygraphs. He says they are prone to error and serve more to intimidate than uncover facts. He believes they have long been used to silence potential whistleblowers and prevent leaks.
A Pentagon document from 1999 showed that the department had already planned to widen polygraph testing whenever there were concerns that personnel with access to secret data had shared it improperly.
