White House stops Pete Hegseth from using lie detector tests on suspected leakers

The White House stepped in to stop Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s planned use of lie detector tests in the hunt for media leakers across the Pentagon.

Fox News reported that this intervention came after senior adviser Patrick Weaver raised concerns about the fairness of being subjected to such tests.

The development followed a series of contentious decisions by Hegseth and his team, most notably surrounding the incident referred to as “Signalgate” and marked tensions within the Pentagon.

In recent months, the measures against leaks have seen FBI officials and elements within the Joint Service Interagency Advisory Group, including Special Operations forces, potentially facing polygraph tests approved by Hegseth.

White House Moves Following Internal Discord

Patrick Weaver, a senior adviser, expressed in the spring that there were concerns revolving around being potentially ordered to undergo a polygraph test.

These concerns emerged amidst increasing tensions in the Pentagon, amplified by the firing of three senior Pentagon aides in April by Hegseth, following accusations of media leaks. The aides countered these allegations, labeling them “slander.” Despite their objections, the pressure continued to manifest within the Department of Defense.

In light of the turmoil, a call was reportedly made by an individual closely aligned with the Trump administration, addressing the use of polygraph tests.

Previously, the Pentagon had witnessed an event that added fuel to the fire known as “Signalgate.” This incident revolved around Hegseth mistakenly revealing sensitive military plans regarding Yemen in a non-secure chat. The incident prompted reports to the Pentagon’s inspector general about possible unintentional dissemination of classified information.

As a result of the internal conflicts, Joe Kasper, once the chief of staff for Hegseth, advocated for a comprehensive investigation regarding unauthorized information leaks. Subsequently, Kasper departed from his post in April, leaving a new leadership dynamic in place.

The case of Col. Ricky Buria also added a significant layer to the situation. Despite taking a polygraph test, results remained inconclusive, leading him to retire from the Marine Corps, only to become a political appointee shortly thereafter.

Tensions Over Promotions and Appointments

Moving forward, pressure mounted on senior officers such as Navy Adm. Christopher Grady and Army Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims. Both faced threats of undergoing polygraph tests as well.

Hegseth took a more assertive stance by hindering Sims’ promotion, a move contradictory to the previous support shown by the Pentagon. This act underscored the deepening divide and escalating challenges within the Defense Department.

Despite the disruptions, Hegseth sought to re-establish new leadership within the advisory ranks. Notably, individuals such as Ricky Buria, Sean Parnell, Patrick Weaver, and Justin Fulcher were appointed as senior advisers, aiming to stabilize the internal framework.

From the White House’s perspective, their intervention represented a significant check on Hegseth’s direction amidst the unfolding chaos and internal discord.

By halting the polygraph tests, they sought to address underlying fairness concerns raised by high-profile officials such as Patrick Weaver.

Meanwhile, the halted policies continually served as a focal point for debates concerning secrecy, procedural fairness, and the bounds of authority in defense matters. Inside the Pentagon, these events maintained considerable attention from top military brass and political stakeholders alike.