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Polygraphs Over Leaks
US government investigators subjected some 50 members of the US military’s Joint Staff to polygraph tests over suspected leaks to journalists, including information about a shortage of critical munitions caused by the Iran war, the New York Times reported.
“Some 50 members of the US military’s Joint Staff have been polygraphed”
The questions were put to military officers and civilian employees on the Joint Staff in August about whether they disclosed classified information to members of the press, including information about US munitions stockpiles.
The probe targeted personnel with the Joint Staff, a group of senior military leaders advising the president, focusing on leaks regarding shortages of long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors due to the war with Iran, The New York Times reported.
Pentagon spokesperson 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.”
Trump Threatens Jail
US President Donald Trump expressed frustration that information about shrinking US munitions stockpiles has become public, arguing that the disclosures make the United States appear weak as he threatened further military action to pressure Iran into reaching a deal.
Trump pushed back on the claims on Truth Social, stating that “The US has massive amounts of ‘munitions,’ especially of certain types.”
Trump nevertheless appeared to confirm that supplies of some weapons were limited and threatened “long-term jail sentences” for anyone found responsible for releasing the information.
In the Oval Office, Trump said certain munitions were in “tighter” supply while maintaining that the United States had a “virtual unlimited supply” of less advanced weapons.
Unprecedented Scope
The polygraph sweep was described as extraordinary and unprecedented at senior levels, with retired Rear Adm. Donald J. Guter telling the newspaper, “I’ve never seen polygraphs employed this broadly or at this seniority level,” and adding, “In my experience, it’s unprecedented.”
““I’ve never seen polygraphs employed this broadly or at this seniority level,””
The investigation was also framed as potentially involving foreign intelligence concerns, with investigators asking whether a government official was potentially operating as a foreign spy because access to the specific munitions data was highly restricted, CBS News reported.
An Anadolu Ajansı report said the FBI was not involved in conducting the tests, as the military utilized its internal investigators, and it reported that no officials failed the polygraph questions.
Anadolu Ajansı also reported that not all senior leaders were tested, with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine being excluded from the sweep.