The Pentagon has launched an investigation into suspected leaks of national security information, with officials considering polygraph tests for Defense Department employees as part of the probe.
The investigation reflects growing concerns within the Trump administration over unauthorized disclosures of sensitive government information.
Joe Kasper, Chief of Staff to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, issued a memo on Friday outlining the Pentagon’s response. He stated that both intelligence and law enforcement divisions within the Department of Defense were looking into “recent unauthorized disclosures” but did not provide specifics about the leaks or the individuals involved.
“Recent unauthorized disclosures of national security information involving sensitive communications with principals within the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) demand immediate and thorough investigation,” Kasper wrote.
The Pentagon’s move comes amid broader efforts by the administration to crack down on leaks across government agencies.
The investigation has sparked reactions from high-profile figures, including Elon Musk, who criticized The New York Times for publishing what he described as false information.
“The New York Times is pure propaganda,” Musk posted on X. “Also, I look forward to the prosecutions of those at the Pentagon who are leaking maliciously false information to NYT. They will be found.”
Musk’s comments align with the Trump administration’s broader stance on leaks, which officials argue undermine national security and disrupt government operations.
The Pentagon’s probe follows a similar move by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently announced increased use of lie-detector tests on DHS employees in an effort to identify individuals leaking information about immigration enforcement operations to the media.
Additionally, the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched its own investigation on Friday into what it called “the selective leak of inaccurate, but nevertheless classified, information” related to intelligence on the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Members of the gang have been targeted by the Trump administration for deportation.
While polygraph tests are not typically admissible in court due to concerns about their reliability, they are frequently used in federal law enforcement and national security settings. Some government agencies, including the FBI and CIA, use polygraphs as part of their hiring and clearance processes.
However, the Supreme Court ruled in 1998 that polygraph results could not be used as evidence in military justice proceedings. Despite this ruling, agencies continue to use the tests as investigative tools.
Leaks from within the federal government are not uncommon and have occurred across multiple administrations. Officials argue that unauthorized disclosures can compromise national security, disrupt policy implementation, and create political challenges.