Pentagon Administers Polygraph Tests to Joint Staff Amid Media Leak Investigations

Published On 5 Sep 20265 Sep 2026

Washington — U.S. investigators have conducted lie detector tests on approximately 50 members of the Joint Staff as part of an investigation into unauthorized disclosures of classified military information, according to a report by The New York Times.

The polygraph examinations, which occurred last month, focused on identifying whether civilian and military personnel provided sensitive details to journalists, particularly regarding reduced U.S. ammunition stockpiles during recent operations in the Iran region, the Times reported on Friday.

The inquiry followed media reports highlighting significant declines in key weapons inventories, including long-range missiles and Patriot air defense interceptors. Pentagon officials publicly disputed these claims, asserting that U.S. weaponry remained adequately stocked for ongoing operations.

In a statement to the Times, Pentagon Press Secretary Sean Parnell did not comment specifically on internal investigative procedures but stressed that unauthorized disclosures of national security information are taken very seriously and investigated appropriately.

“Protecting classified information is essential to safeguarding the security of the United States and our service members deployed globally,” Parnell said.

The Joint Staff, comprising between 1,500 and 2,000 military and civilian personnel, serves as a critical hub for coordinating strategy, policy, and operational planning with combatant commands worldwide.

Unprecedented Investigation Scope

According to sources familiar with the probe, the broad use of polygraph testing aims not only to identify those responsible for the leaks but also to discourage future unauthorized disclosures.

Legal and defense analysts note that such widespread polygraph use among senior military leadership is unprecedented in recent U.S. history. The investigation coincides with growing scrutiny of active military operations in the Iran region, which have placed considerable strain on U.S. munitions and sparked internal debates over strategic direction.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized what he calls “treasonous” media coverage of alleged supply shortages and the administration’s handling of the Iran conflict. His public condemnations have intensified pressure on defense officials to root out leakers.

The ongoing leaks have contributed to rising distrust within the Pentagon, with current and former officials attributing the tension to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s management approach. Working closely with a small group of advisors, Hegseth has removed or blocked the promotions of at least 80 senior military leaders during his tenure, the Times reported.

The Defense Department has initiated several leak investigations in response to media reports questioning Hegseth’s leadership, even as concerns mount over his sharing of sensitive operational information through private communication channels.

Tensions escalated further last month when the Pentagon dismissed the top editorial leadership of Stars and Stripes, the independent, government-funded newspaper serving the U.S. military. Staff members indicated the firings were retaliation for coverage documenting challenging conditions aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.

Despite mounting controversy, President Trump has continued to express confidence in Hegseth, recently describing his performance as “fantastic” during a public appearance.

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