FBI to polygraph test employees to find source of leaks: report

As part of investigations into alleged leaks from national security agencies, Trump administration officials are using polygraph tests, commonly known as "lie detector" tests.

An FBI spokesperson told the Washington Post that the agency, at Director Kash Patel’s direction, has started administering the tests to discover the source of information leaks. The spokesperson said, "The seriousness of the specific leaks in question precipitated the polygraphs, as they involved potential damage to security protocols at the bureau."

One former FBI field office head told the outlet, "People are trying to keep their heads down." An official with a top-secret clearance said, "It’s a toxic environment."

At the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has threatened to begin administering polygraph tests, per the Wall Street Journal. Among those whom Hegseth has threatened with polygraphs are then-acting chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Christopher Grady, as well as Lt. Gen. Doug Sims, the Joint Staff director.

In March, the Department of Homeland Security began performing polygraph tests on employees, four sources familiar with the matter told NBC News. In early April, it was revealed that this included FEMA’s acting administrator and around a dozen other officials at the agency, per CNN.

This comes as Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has referred two members of the national intelligence community for prosecution by the Department of Justice, and a third person would be referred.

A late March memo from Hegseth’s chief of staff said that "recent unauthorized disclosures" had occurred and said that an investigation should be launched. "The use of polygraphs in the execution of this investigation will be in accordance with applicable law and policy."

The Washington Post noted that polygraph testing is required for establishing employment eligibility at large intelligence agencies and generally takes place every five years.