The Pentagon subjected high-ranking members to polygraph tests as part of an investigation into the source of leaks to journalists about how the war in Iran has created a shortage of sophisticated munitions, according to multiple media reports.
Dozens of U.S. officials were given polygraph tests as part of the leak probe, including members of the Pentagon’s Joint Staff and U.S. Central Command officials, the New York Times and CBS News reported.
The investigation comes after media outlets reported on classified information about how the war in Iran has created a shortage of key munitions, including Patriot missile interceptors and the THAAD anti-ballistic missile system.
FILE PHOTO: The Pentagon building is seen in Arlington, Virginia, U.S. October 9, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo
“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,” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement to CBS News.
“Securing classified information is critical to ensuring the security of the United States and of our troops deployed around the world,” he added.
Though occasional polygraphs are not unusual for U.S. officials with access to highly classified information, the New York Times reported that the scale of the polygraph testing administered to top military officials is without precedent.
The reporting about critical U.S. munition shortages has infuriated President Donald Trump.
“The people and Media Outlets that keep harping on the fact that we have no ammunition (And they are 100% wrong!), are actually treasonous,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Sept. 3.
Trump also claimed in recent days that the U.S. is “producing Munitions at levels never seen before” and blamed the Biden administration for supplying Ukraine with Patriot missile interceptors and other weapons systems to defend against Russia.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pentagon officials face polygraph tests after media leaks: reports
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