The Pentagon's intelligence and law enforcement agencies say they are investigating leaks of information related to national security.
Defense Department employees could be subject to polygraph tests as part of the latest such investigation launched by the Trump administration.
A memo released Friday evening by Defense Secretary Chief of Staff Pete Hegseth cited “recent unauthorized disclosures” of information but did not provide details of the alleged leaks.
Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump denied claims that an adviser to Elon Musk would be briefed on how the US might fight a hypothetical war with China.
“If these efforts result in information being collected that identifies the person responsible for the unauthorized disclosure of information,” such information “will be forwarded to the appropriate authority for criminal prosecution,” the memo states.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem promised this month to step up polygraph testing of employees to identify those who might leak information about operations to the media.
The Justice Department announced Friday an investigation into “selective leaks of inaccurate but still sensitive information” from intelligence agencies about the Tre de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang whose members are under threat of being eliminated in the United States by the Republican administration.
Information leaks occur in every administration (the source may be government officials) to test reactions to potential policy decisions.
Although polygraph tests are generally not admissible in court proceedings, they are often used by federal law enforcement agencies and to gain access to classified information.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
