Pentagon Subjects 50 Joint Staff Members to Polygraphs Over Ammo Leak
The US Department of Defense forced about 50 Joint Staff personnel to undergo lie detector tests following media reports on depleted American ammunition stockpiles amid ongoing tensions with Iran.
In an unusual move, the Pentagon expanded its efforts to track down leakers by forcing approximately 50 Joint Staff personnel to undergo polygraph tests. The decision followed a series of media reports detailing the depletion of US ammunition stockpiles during the conflict with Iran, The New York Times reported.
According to the report, federal investigators questioned military officers and civilian employees within the Joint Staff. The inquiries focused on whether they disclosed classified information to journalists, specifically regarding the decline in US military munitions reserves.
The polygraph tests were administered in August, following several publications addressing shortages of critical weaponry, including long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors. The Joint Staff employs between 1,500 and 2,000 officers and senior officials, making this investigation a significant sweep of the department.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated:
"The Department of Defense does not comment on internal personnel matters or ongoing investigations. However, we take any unauthorized disclosure of classified national security information extremely seriously and investigate accordingly."
He added that safeguarding classified information remains critical to ensuring the security of the United States and American forces deployed worldwide.
