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FBI, national security agencies using polygraphs for ‘leak’ hunts
The Washington Post ^ | APRIL 28, 2025 | Ellen Nakashima and Hannah Natanson

Posted on 04/28/2025 8:40:22 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum

Current and former officials say the crackdown is creating a climate of fear and harming national security.

National security agencies across the Trump administration are ramping up investigations into alleged leaks to the news media, in some cases using polygraph tests that current and former officials say are creating a climate of fear and intimidation.

At FBI Director Kash Patel’s direction, the bureau in recent weeks has begun administering polygraphs to identify the source of information leaks, an FBI spokesperson said. The new use of polygraphs at the bureau, which are commonly known as “lie detector” tests, has not been previously reported.

“The seriousness of the specific leaks in question precipitated the polygraphs, as they involved potential damage to security protocols at the bureau,” said the spokesperson, who declined to elaborate.

The ramp-up has been bolstered by Attorney General Pam Bondi’s new legal guidelines that allow the Department of Justice to subpoena reporters’ personal communications and broaden the scope of potential criminal prosecution to leaks of not just classified material, but also “privileged and other sensitive” information that the administration says were “designed to sow chaos and distrust” in the government.

But current and former officials note that the broader scope could include information that is simply embarrassing or seen as undermining the administration’s views.

“People are trying to keep their heads down,” said one former FBI field office head, who like others interviewed for this article spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. “Morale’s in the toilet. … When you see people who are being investigated, or names [of agents who worked on Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack cases] being passed over to the DOJ, it’s what the f---?”

At the Pentagon, embattled Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has threatened the use of polygraphs, according to current...


(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Government
KEYWORDS: ellennakashima; enemieslist; enemyjournalists; fakenews; hannahnatanson; leaks; liedetector; polygraph; protectingspies; waposedition; washingtonpost
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Current and former officials say the crackdown is creating a climate of fear and harming national security.

If they have nothing to hide, they have nothing to fear. 🤡

1 posted on 04/28/2025 8:40:22 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Article: “names [of agents who worked on Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack cases] being passed over to the DOJ, it’s what the f-—?”

Fire every last one of them.

The J6 families have a right to see this happen.

The former agents can put “I was just following orders” on their resumes.


2 posted on 04/28/2025 8:44:15 PM PDT by cgbg (It was not us. It was them--all along.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
Bingo! I'd think all the honest agents would WELCOME the polygraph tests and the effort to root out the traitors and rotten apples in their midst. Sounds like this guy should be the first to go...
“People are trying to keep their heads down. Morale’s in the toilet. … When you see people who are being investigated, or names [of agents who worked on Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack cases] being passed over to the DOJ, it’s what the f---?” -- A former FBI field office head

3 posted on 04/28/2025 8:44:34 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (“Diversity is our Strength” just doesn’t carry the same message as “Death from Above”)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Yes, Komrad Beria said the same thing.


4 posted on 04/28/2025 8:46:37 PM PDT by from occupied ga (Your government is your most dangerous enemy - EVs a solution for which there is no problem)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

When the government fears the people, there’s liberty; when the people fear the government there’s tyranny.

Couldn’t happen to a more deserving bunch like the FBI.


5 posted on 04/28/2025 8:47:20 PM PDT by grumpygresh
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To: cgbg

Just following orders didn’t cut the mustard at Nuremberg. Shouldn’t let people off here.


6 posted on 04/28/2025 8:47:48 PM PDT by from occupied ga (Your government is your most dangerous enemy - EVs a solution for which there is no problem)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

The problem is they don’t think like we do. They saw Jan 6 as a challenge to their power by uppity civilians. The sheep whose sole purpose is to provide money for their superiors in government were getting out of hand and challenging a properly stolen election. That needed to be squashed before the little people got to thinking they could petition for a redress of grievances.


7 posted on 04/28/2025 8:53:39 PM PDT by from occupied ga (Your government is your most dangerous enemy - EVs a solution for which there is no problem)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

I fully agree.

If I worked in a place where scumbags were doing illegal things and smearing me by association while doing them, I would welcome a polygraph test.

To catch them and clear myself.


8 posted on 04/28/2025 8:58:17 PM PDT by rlmorel ("A people that elect corrupt politicians are not victims...but accomplices." George Orwell)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

“Lie detectors” is an inaccurate term shoved on/used by the public.

That said, I understand how the operators work. If they are good ones that are not biased, most of the actual leakers will be found out.


9 posted on 04/28/2025 9:09:53 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

They are now experiencing the FO (find out) part of FA.


10 posted on 04/28/2025 9:11:34 PM PDT by for-q-clinton
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Indeed.

Only the guilty fear being exposed.

Drug test them, too.


11 posted on 04/28/2025 9:12:20 PM PDT by dadgum (Fight to WIN or do not fight at all)
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To: rlmorel

Liars can pass polygraphs. They can have certain pathologies or they can train themselves. Most people wont train themselves.

Honest people can be seen as hiding something as well. The stress of the non-control questions themselves can be enough. People who worry and stress a lot about things can work themselves up. Further sometimes the nature of the questions themselves can affect a person so much that it registers as a high stress event.

So false negatives and false positives can and do occur. Its not exact science. Its why they aren’t considered irrefutable evidence of guilt in courts.


12 posted on 04/28/2025 9:15:31 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Secret Agent Man

Sure. I know all that. I would be willing to do it and let the chips fall where they may.


13 posted on 04/28/2025 9:19:17 PM PDT by rlmorel ("A people that elect corrupt politicians are not victims...but accomplices." George Orwell)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
...using polygraph tests that current and former officials say are creating a climate of fear and intimidation.

so, it's working ?
14 posted on 04/28/2025 9:20:05 PM PDT by stylin19a ("Artillery Brings Dignity to What Would Otherwise Be Just A Vulgar Brawl" )
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

I dont agree. Thats a totalitarian way of thinking. Plenty of normal people have secrets and private issues no one else has any right to expose. You do. I do. We all do. We all have things we hide and dont broadcast to the world.

This is more of a trust but verify situation. When you verify the trust has been broken and misplaced, they’re gone. (Thats what they are doing now.) And maybe facing charges depending on whats what.


15 posted on 04/28/2025 9:20:32 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: rlmorel

So if that meant you being fired because the operator believed you had problems with certain questions and you couldn’t convince him otherwise, you’d be cool losing your job.

Ok then.


16 posted on 04/28/2025 9:21:46 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Secret Agent Man
I dont agree.

Neither do I. I was just mocking what Lefties always say.

I thought the clown face would be a clue, but I guess it was too subtle.

17 posted on 04/28/2025 9:23:38 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Democrats are the Party of anger, hate and violence.)
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To: cgbg

Well if they say they were just following orders they’re just plagiarizing the Nazis.


18 posted on 04/28/2025 9:24:10 PM PDT by tiki (To)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Sorry, I didnt catch it. You got me. :)


19 posted on 04/28/2025 9:26:20 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Secret Agent Man

I doubt they are firing people on the basis of polygraphs. But it might well open up paths of investigation to nail scumbags.

So, “Ok then. I am good with it.


20 posted on 04/28/2025 9:32:02 PM PDT by rlmorel ("A people that elect corrupt politicians are not victims...but accomplices." George Orwell)
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