In a major crackdown on information leaks, the Trump administration has ordered dozens of Pentagon officials to undergo polygraph tests amid media reports of dwindling United States weapons stockpiles in the Middle East. About 50 military officers and civilian officials working with the US military’s Joint Staff were subjected to polygraph examinations – commonly known as lie-detector tests – in August, The New York Times (NYT) has reported. CBS News separately reported that several dozen people underwent polygraph examinations earlier in the summer, including some US Central Command (CENTCOM) officials.
As US President Donald Trump accused unknown staff of making “treasonous statements” to journalists earlier this week, an ongoing investigation into information leaks also involves the Department of Justice and the FBI. Here’s what we know about the polygraph tests. This is part of a wider investigation into suspected leaks of classified information about US weapons stockpiles to journalists after news reports emerged in July that supplies of some critical munitions, particularly long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors, were running low.
The reports coincided with the US halting attacks on Iran. The Trump administration has strongly denied that it is low on weapons, saying it has “massive amounts” of weaponry available. However, investigators have asked Joint Staff personnel undergoing polygraphs whether they provided classified information to the news media, particularly about declining US munitions stocks, according to the NYT.
CBS News reported that the polygraphs covered a range of national security matters. Two sources told the broadcaster that nobody failed the questions intended to establish whether officials had leaked information to the media. The NYT reported that the investigation was intended not only to identify potential leakers but also to deter others from disclosing information in the future.
Between 1,500 and 2,000 military officers and civilian officials work for the Joint Staff, which helps coordinate military operations, policy and war planning with US combatant commands around the world. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was among senior officials who were not tested. The Pentagon has not publicly confirmed details of the polygraph tests.
The level of US weapons reserves available to its forces stationed in the Middle East has become an increasingly sensitive issue as the US continues strikes on Iran using sophisticated munitions that are difficult and time-consuming to replace. Iran has excelled at depleting expensive US defensive systems, such as Patriot missiles, by bombarding US targets in the Gulf with volley after volley of cheap, mass-produced Shahed drones. For the US, information suggesting that its supplies are running low could give adversaries insight into how long Washington can sustain military operations and where its capabilities may be under strain.
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