The Department of Defense is under growing pressure to identify the source of leaked security details, with employees now facing the possibility of polygraph testing as part of an internal probe. The investigation follows orders issued in a memo by Joe Kasper, chief of staff to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Without naming the materials involved, Kasper’s memo referenced recent disclosures of information tied to communications among top defense leaders. The document called for a multi-branch investigation, and warned that anyone identified as responsible would be referred for possible criminal prosecution.
Pentagon announces investigation into leaks, which could include polygraph tests https://t.co/N6K1j8aTmX
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 23, 2025
That memo arrived shortly after a New York Times report claimed Elon Musk would be shown military plans in case of war with China. President Donald Trump denied the report, and Musk responded online, accusing leakers of spreading “maliciously false information.”
🚨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 has also begun tightening internal controls. Secretary Kristi Noem announced her department would conduct more polygraph tests to catch workers revealing classified details. The Justice Department joined the crackdown with a new investigation into how information related to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua made it into the public sphere.
Although polygraphs are used for federal background checks and national security clearance, they remain controversial. Military trials are barred from using the results following a 1998 Supreme Court decision. Civilian courts also usually exclude the exams from evidence due to questions about their accuracy.
George Maschke, a former Army interrogator, said the tests can give false positives and are more about intimidation than uncovering the truth. He leads AntiPolygraph.org, a group pushing back on the use of such testing in federal agencies.
Back in 1999, the Pentagon outlined plans to expand polygraph use among defense personnel if officials determined that sensitive data was being leaked to unauthorized parties.
