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Why has the Trump administration ordered Pentagon staff to take polygraph tests?

From Al Jazeera · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Explainer Named sources Under investigation
  • The Trump administration ordered about 50 Joint Staff military and civilian officials to take polygraph tests amid an investigation into suspected leaks about US weapons stocks.
  • The tests followed reports that supplies of some critical munitions, including long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors, were running low, claims the administration denies.
  • The Pentagon has not confirmed details, while the Justice Department and FBI are also involved in the leak investigation.

About 50 military officers and civilian officials working with the US military’s Joint Staff underwent polygraph examinations in August, according to The New York Times. CBS News separately reported that several dozen people, including officials from US Central Command, took similar tests earlier in the summer.

The examinations form part of a wider investigation into suspected leaks of classified information about US weapons reserves. The inquiry began after media reports in July said stocks of some critical munitions, particularly long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors, were running low. Those reports appeared as the United States halted attacks on Iran.

massive amounts

· Trump administrationThe administration used the phrase to deny reports that US weapons supplies were running low.

The Trump administration has strongly denied that US weapons supplies are low, saying it has “massive amounts” of weaponry available. Investigators reportedly asked Joint Staff personnel whether they had provided classified information to journalists, especially details about declining ammunition stocks. CBS said the tests covered a broader range of national security issues, and two of its sources said no one failed the questions intended to determine whether officials had leaked information.

treasonous statements

· Donald TrumpTrump used the phrase while accusing unknown staff members of speaking to journalists.

President Donald Trump accused unknown staff members this week of making “treasonous statements” to journalists. The investigation also involves the Department of Justice and the FBI, while the Pentagon has not publicly confirmed the testing. “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,” chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said.

The Joint Staff employs between 1,500 and 2,000 military officers and civilian officials and helps coordinate military operations, policy and war planning with combatant commands worldwide. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was among senior officials who were not tested.

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.

· Sean ParnellThe chief Pentagon spokesman responded to questions about the polygraph examinations.
About this summary

Originally published by Al Jazeera in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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