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Pentagon Launches Investigation into National Security Leaks, Warns of Criminal Charges
The Pentagon has initiated an investigation into the unauthorized disclosure of national security information, with officials warning that those responsible could face criminal prosecution.
While the Defense Department has not disclosed specific details about the leaked information, it is treating the matter with utmost seriousness. Measures under consideration include the use of polygraph tests on personnel, according to reports from the Associated Press.
Defense Secretary’s Memo Highlights Concerns
A memo sent late Friday from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s chief of staff referenced “recent unauthorized disclosures” but did not elaborate on the nature of the leaks. The memo stated, “If this effort results in information identifying a party responsible for an unauthorized disclosure, then such information will be referred to the appropriate criminal entity for criminal prosecution.”
This move echoes similar inquiries pursued during the Trump administration, which also prioritized cracking down on leaks of classified information.
Broader Efforts to Combat Leaks
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is also stepping up efforts to identify leakers. Secretary Kristi Noem has vowed to increase polygraph testing on employees to prevent the disclosure of operational details to the media.
Meanwhile, the Justice Department announced on Friday that it is investigating what it describes as “the selective leak of inaccurate, but nevertheless classified, information” related to Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang targeted for removal by the Republican administration.
Controversy Over Polygraph Use
While leaks are not uncommon in Washington—often used by officials to gauge public reaction to policy decisions—the use of polygraphs in leak investigations has sparked debate.
- Polygraph exams are frequently used for national security clearances and federal law enforcement but are generally inadmissible in court.
- The Supreme Court ruled in 1998 that polygraphs cannot be used as evidence in military justice proceedings.
- Critics, such as George Maschke, a former Army interrogator and founder of AntiPolygraph.org, argue that polygraphs are unreliable and can produce false positives. Maschke, who failed a polygraph while applying to the FBI, claims that polygraphs have been used intermittently since the 1990s as an intimidation tactic to deter sources from speaking to reporters.
A 1999 Pentagon report revealed plans to expand the use of polygraphs on defense personnel “if classified information they had access to has been leaked.”
Implications for National Security
The investigation underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing transparency with the need to protect sensitive information. As the Pentagon and other agencies intensify their efforts, the debate over the effectiveness and ethics of polygraph testing is likely to continue.
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