Power Grab/Fire anyone who can stop him
The Pentagon polygraphs about 50 Joint Staff members in a hunt for who spoke to reporters
The examinations, reported by The New York Times on September 4, 2026, asked whether the officers and civilians had disclosed classified information to the press; CBS News says no one failed the leak questions.
What happened
In August 2026, the Defense Department polygraphed roughly 50 military officers and civilian employees on the Joint Staff, asking whether they had disclosed classified information to the press. The New York Times reported the examinations on September 4. The leaks in question included reporting on depleted stocks of long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors during the war with Iran.
CBS News reported that several dozen other officials, including Central Command personnel, had been examined earlier in the summer, and that no one failed the leak questions. The chairman, Gen. Dan Caine, was not tested. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had announced a joint Pentagon-Justice leak task force in July. Spokesman Sean Parnell said the department takes all leaks of classified information extremely seriously.
Who benefited
Hegseth’s leak task force gained a way to question about 50 Joint Staff members on whether they spoke to reporters. Several dozen more at Central Command were examined earlier. The department reported no one failed the leak questions, so the examinations produced no named source.
Who wanted something
The Defense Department wanted to find who gave reporters information on depleted stocks of long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors. Hegseth announced a joint Pentagon-Justice leak task force in July. The examinations asked whether officers had disclosed classified information to the press.
Who lost out
About 50 Joint Staff officers and civilians, and several dozen Central Command officials earlier, were polygraphed over press contacts. CBS News reported no one failed the leak questions. Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman, was not tested. The people tested carry the cost of the examination whatever the result.
Why it matters
The Pentagon polygraphed about 50 Joint Staff members over leaks and, per CBS, found no failures. Reporting on missile and Patriot interceptor stocks during the war with Iran prompted it. Several dozen others at Central Command had been examined before, and the chairman was not tested.
Sources The New York Times (via Boston Globe)CBS NewsThe HillTIME