United States investigators have subjected approximately 50 members of the Pentagon's Joint Staff to lie detector tests following a series of unauthorised media leaks, according to The New York Times. The inquiry focused on whether civilian and military personnel disclosed classified details to reporters, particularly concerning weapons ammunition reserves. The polygraph examinations took place last month after news outlets published reports highlighting sharp declines in key weapons supplies, including long-range missiles and Patriot air defence interceptors.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the department takes leaks of national security information "extremely seriously and investigates accordingly" but declined to address specific administrative or investigative actions. "Securing classified information is critical to ensuring the security of the United States and of our troops deployed around the world," he said. Sources told The New York Times that the investigation was designed both to identify those behind the disclosures and to deter potential future leakers.
Legal and military experts told the newspaper that the scale of the investigation is unprecedented, as the top ranks of the US armed forces have never undergone widespread polygraph testing in modern history. The Joint Staff consists of between 1,500 and 2,000 military and civilian personnel and plays a key role in coordinating operational strategy, policy and war planning with combat commands globally. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly pushed officials to crack down on unauthorised disclosures, publicly calling critical media coverage on munition shortages "treasonous".
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who operates alongside a tight circle of close aides, has ousted or blocked the promotions of at least 80 generals, admirals and senior officials during his tenure, according to the report. Current and former officials attribute deepening distrust inside the Pentagon to his management style. Last month, the Pentagon fired the top editor and publisher of Stars and Stripes, an independent, government-funded military news publication.
Staff members at Stars and Stripes said the move was direct retaliation for stories detailing deteriorating conditions aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. Despite mounting friction, Trump has publicly praised Hegseth's performance as "fantastic". The persistent leaks have followed widespread reporting on how active military operations involving Iran have strained US weapon reserves, causing internal debates over the conflict's broader direction.
