The Pentagon has announced an investigation into recent “unauthorized disclosures” of national security information, which may include the use of polygraph tests on Department of Defense personnel.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s chief of staff, Joe Kasper, sent a memo out on Friday letting DOD staff know that they may be subject to the lie detector tests.
“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,” the memo read, according to a report from The Hill.
“I request the prompt assistance of your Director for Defense Intelligence (Counterintelligence, Law Enforcement, and Security) to support OSD in leading an investigation into unauthorized disclosures in coordination with the appropriate Department of Defense (DoD) stakeholders, including those responsible for maintaining and overseeing information security systems and in coordination with federal partners as required,” the memo continued.
Polygraphs, according to the memo, will be conducted “in accordance with applicable law and policy.”
Kasper warned that “information identifying a party responsible for an unauthorized disclosure” will be referred to criminal law enforcement for prosecution.