Throughout August, US investigators administered polygraph examinations to 50 military officers and civilian officials. The probe was launched in response to unauthorized leaks concerning depleted American munitions stocks during the ongoing war with Iran. According to reports, the investigation specifically targeted personnel within the Joint Staff, a group of senior military leaders who advise the president. The inquiry focused on disclosures regarding shortages of Patriot interceptors and long-range missiles.
The military conducted the sweep using internal investigators rather than the FBI. While the testing was extensive, it did not include all senior leaders; notably, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, was excluded from the process. According to CBS News, no officials failed the polygraph questions, which were designed to determine if they had leaked information to journalists regarding critical ammunition shortages amid the tensions between the US and Iran.
Investigators were also concerned that a government official might be operating as a foreign spy, given that access to the specific munitions data was highly restricted. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated that the agency does not comment on internal personnel or investigative matters, but emphasized that the agency takes classified leaks "extremely seriously and investigates accordingly."
President Donald Trump has reportedly expressed fury over the unauthorized disclosures. While he denied the reported strategic shortages, insisting the military possesses "massive amounts" of weaponry, he labeled the disclosures as "treasonous statements" and "fake news." He further warned that those responsible would be "hunted down" and face severe prison sentences.
The polygraph sweep followed separate unauthorized disclosures, including a leaked portion of the Secretary of Defense Orders Book. That document showed six four-star leaders formally expressing dissent about extending the war against Iran, warning that the conflict is "unsustainable" and erodes global readiness. Parnell condemned that leak as a "crime" and "a betrayal of the force," adding that much of the reporting surrounding it was inaccurate.
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