Pentagon polygraphs 50 people to catch leakers — and somebody leaks that too

BS BULLETIN:

Roughly 50 members of the military’s Joint Staff were reportedly subjected to polygraph tests in August as the Pentagon searches for whoever has been leaking classified information to the press.
Investigators reportedly questioned military officers and civilian employees about disclosures involving U.S. munitions stockpiles amid the Iran war.
The Pentagon’s secret effort to find the leakers has now become public because officials briefed on the leak investigation talked to reporters about it.

The Pentagon has a leak problem.

And apparently its leak investigation has a leak problem.

Roughly 50 members of the U.S. military’s Joint Staff were subjected to polygraph examinations in August as investigators attempted to identify the source of classified information being provided to journalists, according to the New York Times.

The tests followed a series of reports about the condition of America’s munitions stockpiles during the ongoing war with Iran, including supplies of Patriot interceptors and long-range missiles.

Investigators reportedly asked military officers and civilian employees whether they had disclosed classified information to journalists and specifically questioned them about information concerning diminished weapons stocks.

Some high-ranking officials were among those tested, according to CBS News.

And after questioning approximately 50 people?

CBS reported that nobody failed.

The Pentagon isn’t saying much publicly about the investigation.

“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,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said.

“Securing classified information is critical to ensuring the security of the United States and of our troops deployed around the world.”

President Donald Trump has made no secret of his anger over the disclosures.

Trump previously rejected reports that America’s weapons supplies were dangerously depleted, saying the United States has “massive amounts” of munitions and that manufacturers are dramatically increasing production.

He also warned that whoever is responsible for leaking classified information is being hunted down and could face lengthy prison sentences.

The investigation is notable for its size.

The Pentagon uses polygraphs, but subjecting dozens of Joint Staff personnel to testing as part of a single leak investigation is highly unusual.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has made cracking down on unauthorized disclosures a priority. The Pentagon announced a joint task force in July aimed at investigating leaks, and Hegseth had previously warned that polygraphs could be used to identify people providing sensitive information to reporters.

The administration also has tightened access to sensitive military information as concern over leaks has grown. The Washington Post reported this week that decades of classified documents connected to the secretary’s orders book were removed from an internal Pentagon network following reporting about senior military officers’ concerns over the Iran war.

There is, however, one rather spectacular irony hanging over the latest development.

The Pentagon didn’t announce that it polygraphed approximately 50 people while searching for leakers.

Officials briefed on the matter told the New York Times.

In other words, somebody leaked the leak investigation.

The Pentagon may need a second polygraph machine.

MY QUICK TAKE

I support finding people who leak classified military information. This isn’t office gossip. When you’re talking about weapons inventories during a war, there are things America’s enemies should not be reading over breakfast.

But I have one question. How did we find out about the secret polygraphs?

The leakers told the New York Times about the investigation to catch the leakers. You can’t make this stuff up.

Fifty polygraphs. Nobody fails. And somehow the whole thing winds up in the newspaper anyway. At this rate, Pete Hegseth is going to have to polygraph the guy administering the polygraphs.