After defence secretary, the FBI has recently begun conducting polygraph examinations to identify information leaks, as confirmed by a bureau spokesperson.
National security agencies in the Trump administration are intensifying leak investigations, implementing polygraph tests that are creating an atmosphere of fear amongst officials.
Attorney General Pam Bondi‘s revised legal guidelines now permit the Justice Department to access reporters’ personal communications and expand criminal prosecution scope beyond classified material to include “privileged and other sensitive” information, Washington Post reported.
Officials express concern that the broader scope could encompass information that merely causes embarrassment or challenges administrative positions.
“People are trying to keep their heads down,” stated a former FBI field office head, speaking anonymously. “Morale’s in the toilet. … When you see people who are being investigated, or names [of agents who worked on Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot cases] being passed over to the DOJ, it’s what the f—?”
At the Pentagon, Hegseth has threatened of using polygraph, with some senior officials already undergoing tests, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The situation has created significant anxiety. Former government employees on buyout are reluctant to communicate with media while still on payroll. Security clearance holders are cautious about journalist contact due to future polygraph considerations.
“It’s a toxic environment,” revealed one official with top-secret clearance, describing concerns about job security and efforts to silence those who diverge from official positions.
The dismissal of Gen. Timothy Haugh from his leadership roles at the national security agency and US cyber command, along with numerous departures at the department of homeland security’s cybersecurity division, has raised concerns about vulnerabilities to foreign cyber threats.
US President Donald Trump removed Haugh without explanation, allegedly for “disloyalty”, following a meeting with far-right
