Why has the Trump administration ordered staff to take polygraph tests?

EXPLAINERReports of dwindling US weapons stocks have triggered an unusually sweeping hunt for leakers inside the Pentagon.US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a meeting with Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Richard Marles at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on September 2, 2026 [AFP]Published On 5 Sep 2026In 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.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Trump sends envoys to Russia, Ukraine with new peace planlist 2 of 3Oil and politics: What Trump’s ‘historic’ deal means for Venezuelalist 3 of 3Why is Trump threatening to strike Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain again, now?end of listCBS 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.Why are Pentagon staff undergoing 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 Department does not comment on internal personnel or investigative matters but takes all leaks of classified national security information extremely seriously and investigates accordingly,” chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said.Why are the weapons leaks so sensitive?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. As well as launching sporadic strikes on targets in Iran, the US is maintaining a naval blockade on Iranian ports in and around the critical Strait of Hormuz, which Iran closed to traffic in March.The president has gone further in attacking the reporting by news outlets, calling accounts of dwindling stocks “treasonous statements”. He has pledged that the people behind leaks will be “hunted down” and warned they could face lengthy prison terms.Trump has also sought to reassure Americans that supplies are being replenished. “Additionally, large amounts are being manufactured and shipped to the US as needed,” he wrote on Truth Social last month.Does the Pentagon have a problem with leaks?The polygraph tests are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to prevent sensitive information from leaving the Pentagon.Under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the department has opened multiple investigations into leaks and taken steps to limit journalists’ access to military officials and information. Current and former officials have described growing mistrust inside the Pentagon, according to the NYT.Hegseth has also overseen significant changes among the military’s senior ranks. At least 80 generals, admirals and other officials have been removed or had their promotions blocked during his tenure, the newspaper reported.The Pentagon’s campaign against leaks became more formalised in July, when Hegseth created a task force with the Department of Justice to speed up investigations into unauthorised disclosures. The Pentagon’s lawyers were also given expanded authority to obtain records and seek assistance for such inquiries.Hegseth said the aim was to get information to federal law enforcement, including the FBI, more quickly when suspected leaks occurred.“Leaked information risks lives,” he said.The polygraph operation is separate from that process, however. Military investigators carried out those examinations without FBI involvement, according to the NYT.At the same time, Hegseth’s relationship with journalists covering the Pentagon has become increasingly strained. He has not held a Pentagon news briefing on the Iran war since May 5 and has introduced restrictions on journalists’ access to parts of the building, which the NYT is challenging in court.The Pentagon last month also dismissed the publisher and editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes, the government-funded newspaper covering the US military.Hegseth has himself faced scrutiny over the handling of sensitive military information. Last year, details about planned US attacks in Yemen were shared in a Signal group that included a journalist.The Pentagon’s latest operation is part of a history of the Trump administration’s use of polygraphs in investigations into suspected leaks.One of the first examples came shortly after Hegseth took charge of the Pentagon. In March 2025, his chief of staff launched an inquiry into what the department called “unauthorised disclosures of national security information”, with Sky News reporting that employees could be required to take lie detector tests.The inquiry came after reporting that Elon Musk was due to receive a classified briefing about how the US military would respond to a potential conflict with China.Both Trump and Musk denied the report. Musk dismissed it as “pure propaganda” and called for those responsible for providing the information to journalists to be prosecuted.Trump, however, separately acknowledged the potential sensitivity of giving Musk access to information concerning China because of his business interests there. “Elon has businesses in China, and he would be susceptible, perhaps, to that,” he said.Lie detectors have also been deployed elsewhere in the administration. In May 2026, FBI Director Kash Patel reportedly had more than two dozen current and former members of his security detail undergo polygraphs during an investigation into leaks from within the bureau.