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Top military officials faced polygraph tests in leak investigation, sources say

Investigators questioned dozens of senior officers regarding unauthorized disclosures about classified weapons stockpiles.

The short version

  • Several dozen high-ranking U.S. military personnel, including combatant commanders, underwent polygraph examinations after classified data on munitions stockpiles leaked to the media.[CBS News]
  • The inquiries were conducted by military investigators without FBI involvement following anger from President Trump.[CBS News]
  • Sources reported that no examinees failed questions related to press leaks, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine was not tested.[CBS News]
  • The tests follow an expanded joint Pentagon and Justice Department task force created by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to prosecute unauthorized disclosures.[CBS News]

Key facts

  • Top military leaders and U.S. Central Command personnel were subjected to polygraph exams over media leaks detailing sensitive weapons stockpiles.[CBS News]
  • Two sources stated that no tested officials failed the specific polygraph questions regarding leaks to the press.[CBS News]
  • Military investigators handled the polygraphs without the involvement of the FBI.[CBS News]
  • Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was not administered a polygraph test.[CBS News]
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth established a joint task force with the Justice Department in July to identify and prosecute unauthorized disclosures.[CBS News]

What remains uncertain

  • It remains unconfirmed whether any suspect was identified, as the Pentagon declined to comment on internal investigative matters and sources said no tested personnel failed leak-specific questions.[CBS News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.