Full story
Polygraphs in Leak Hunt
U.S. government investigators subjected roughly 50 members of the U.S. military’s Joint Staff to polygraph tests in August as part of a leak probe into how classified information about the Iran war and diminished U.S. munitions stocks reached journalists.
“roughly 50 members of the U.S. military’s Joint Staff to polygraph tests”
The New York Times reported the tests were conducted after news reports detailed diminished stocks of crucial munitions, including long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors.
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," as the investigation targeted whether military officers and civilian employees disclosed classified information to the press.
CBS News reported that President Trump was furious about the leaks, and that a very small set of people had access to the classified details on the munitions, raising concern about whether anyone could be acting as a foreign intelligence asset.
CBS News also said the mass volume of people pulled in for testing was "extremely rare," and that the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, was not polygraphed.
Trump, Parnell, and Access
CBS News said three sources told the outlet that President Trump was furious about the leaks, while also describing how access to the classified details on the munitions was limited.
One CBS News source said there was concern about whether anyone could potentially be acting as a foreign intelligence asset, and the polygraph questions delved deeply into various national security-related matters.
In a statement to CBS News, Sean Parnell said, "Securing classified information is critical to ensuring the security of the United States and of our troops deployed around the world," linking the leak probe to troop security.
The New York Times described the polygraph tests as an unparalleled inquiry, saying the show of force appeared aimed at not just ferreting out anyone who may have shared information but intimidating others who might do so in the future.
CBS News reported that no one failed the questions meant to determine if officials leaked to the media, with two sources saying that outcome.
What Happens Next
The leak hunt unfolded against a backdrop of reporting that the Iran war had created a shortage of crucial munitions, with the polygraph tests focusing on whether Joint Staff personnel provided information about diminished U.S. munitions stocks.
“The FBI was not involved in these polygraph tests”
The New York Times said the polygraph tests were conducted in August after a flurry of news reports detailed diminished stocks of crucial munitions, including of long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors.
CBS News reported that the FBI was not involved in these polygraph tests, with the military having its own investigators, and that the tests were part of the routine cadence but the scope this summer indicated an investigation.
The New York Times said between 1,500 and 2,000 officers and officials work for the Joint Staff, which coordinates operations, policy and war plans with combatant commanders around the world, underscoring the scale of the organization being scrutinized.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell reiterated the department’s posture in the CBS News account, saying it takes leaks of classified national security information "extremely seriously and investigates accordingly."