Pentagon gives polygraph tests to Joint Staff officials in search for munitions leak, report says

About 50 members of the US military’s Joint Staff have undergone polygraph tests as investigators search for the source of leaks about the country’s munitions stockpiles, The New York Times reported, citing officials briefed on the matter.

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extremely seriously

The military officers and civilian employees were asked whether they had disclosed classified information to journalists. The questioning included information published in August about reduced supplies of weapons, including long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors, amid the war with Iran.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the department would not comment on internal personnel or investigative matters. He said it takes leaks of classified national security information “extremely seriously” and investigates them accordingly. “Securing classified information is critical to ensuring the security of the United States and of our troops deployed around the world,” Parnell added.

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Securing classified information is critical to ensuring the security of the United States and of our troops deployed around the world

Trump has publicly expressed frustration that reports about shrinking stockpiles became known, arguing that the disclosures made the United States appear weak as he threatened further military action to pressure Iran into a deal. In early August, he wrote on Truth Social that “The US has massive amounts of ‘munitions,’ especially of certain types.”

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The US has massive amounts of ‘munitions,’ especially of certain types.

He nevertheless appeared to acknowledge that supplies of some weapons were limited. Speaking later in the Oval Office, Trump said certain munitions were in “tighter” supply while maintaining that the United States had a “virtual unlimited supply” of less advanced weapons. He also threatened “long-term jail sentences” for anyone found responsible for releasing the information.

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long-term jail sentences