White House’s anti-leak polygraph tests on top brass sensationally backfire, report says
The White House launched unprecedented polygraph testing on top US military members after details on the Iran war were leaked to the media – but top-secret details of those tests have now been leaked too, according to a new report.
Trump’s administration is desperately seeking to find members of the Joint Staff who are allegedly leaking classified details to the press, the New York Times reported.
At least 50 members of staff were subjected to lie detector tests in August to find out who the alleged rats were after multiple news outlets reported that the US military was running low on key weapons stockpiles amid the ongoing war in the Middle East.
But that anti-leak mission has seemingly backfired on the White House – as news of the testing has now ironically leaked to the media.
Those who were tested were ‘officials briefed on the move,’ and they were launched not just to find out who might have shared the classified information, but to warn others who might choose to do so in the future, sources told the NYT.
The Joint Staff has 1,500 to 2,000 officials and officers, and General Dan Caine leads it. It coordinates policy, operations, and war plans with combat commanders worldwide, and it is overseen by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
When questioned over tests, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said 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,’ the NYT reported.
‘Securing classified information is critical to ensuring the security of the United States and of our troops deployed around the world,’ Parnell added.
Mass polygraph tests were launched by the White House in August to top military officials after leaks on the US war in Iran were reported by several media outlets, according to a report
The Joint Staff has 1,500 to 2,000 officials and officers, and General Dan Caine (pictured) leads it. It is overseen by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth
The move marks the first time the US has ever issued mass polygraph tests to top brass officials in the military.
Rear Adm. Donald J. Guter told the NYT that it is ‘unprecedented’ as he has never seen tests given ‘this broadly or at this seniority level.’
President Donald Trump has supported the hunt for those who are leaking information, and has gone on to refer to the media coverage as ‘treasonous.’
He said that Hegseth is doing a ‘fantastic job,’ despite growing concern inside the Pentagon.
For months, Hegseth has been cracking down on leakers, as he’s blocked or pushed out promotions of at least 80 admirals, generals and other high-ranking officials.
He has not given a briefing to the Pentagon press corps about the war in Iran since May 5, and has significantly restricted journalists’ access to the Pentagon.
In March 2025, Hegseth reportedly threatened to subject government employees to tests after a NYT report stated that the Pentagon was preparing to brief Tesla CEO and Trump’s former senior advisor Elon Musk about China.
At the time, Hegseth was ‘rattled’ by the leak, according to The Wall Street Journal.
While he searched for that leaker, Hegseth threatened former Admiral Christopher Grady, who held Caine’s position at the time. Grady retired from active duty in September 2025.
President Donald Trump has supported the hunt for those who are leaking information, and has gone on to refer to the media coverage as ‘treasonous’
He told Grady: ‘I’ll hook you up to a f***ing polygraph!,’ the Journal reported, citing two people familiar with the moment.
Grady was not subjected to a lie detector test at the time.
The Daily Mail contacted the White House and the Pentagon for comment.
