WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — National security agencies under the Trump administration have ramped up internal leak investigations, deploying polygraph examinations and expanding the Justice Department’s legal authority to target reporters and sensitive disclosures, according to multiple sources and recent news reports.
The FBI recently began administering polygraph tests to personnel suspected of leaking classified or sensitive information, a bureau spokesperson confirmed. This move follows earlier actions by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who initiated polygraph use at the Pentagon. Some senior officials have already undergone testing, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The polygraphs are part of a broader effort to root out unauthorized disclosures across government agencies, a campaign that current and former officials say is sowing fear and lowering morale. “People are trying to keep their heads down,” said a former FBI field office head, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “Morale’s in the toilet.”
The Justice Department has also revised internal guidelines under Attorney General Pam Bondi, allowing investigators to access reporters’ communications and pursue criminal cases not only for classified leaks but also for sharing “privileged and other sensitive” material. The expanded scope could include disclosures that merely embarrass the administration or contradict its public positions, The Washington Post reported.
The aggressive approach is having a chilling effect on communication, especially with the press. Sources say government employees who took buyouts and remain temporarily on the payroll are avoiding any contact with journalists. Security clearance holders are increasingly wary, fearing that any interaction with the media could subject them to future polygraph scrutiny.
“It’s a toxic environment,” said one official with top-secret clearance. “There’s real concern about job security and clear efforts to silence voices who diverge from the administration’s line.”
Tensions have escalated further following the unexplained dismissal of Gen. Timothy Haugh, who was leading both the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command. President Donald Trump reportedly removed Haugh after a private meeting with far-right advisers, allegedly citing “disloyalty,” although no formal reason was given. The high-profile shake-up, coupled with a wave of departures from the Department of Homeland Security’s cybersecurity division, has prompted warnings from current and former officials about increasing vulnerability to foreign cyber threats.
The use of polygraphs and expanded investigative tools reflects a hardline posture toward internal dissent and media contact, reminiscent of past leak crackdowns but with broader reach and fewer checks, critics argue.
“Names of agents who worked on the Jan. 6 Capitol riot cases are being passed over to the DOJ,” the former FBI official added. “It’s like, what the f—?”
The administration’s moves come as part of a wider reshuffling and consolidation of power within intelligence and security agencies. Analysts say the pressure campaign could hamper internal dialogue and compromise the effectiveness of national security operations, particularly as cyberattacks from foreign actors become more frequent and sophisticated.
While leak investigations are not new, the scope and tactics under the Trump administration have generated unease across federal departments. Critics warn that overreach could turn national security tools into political weapons, potentially undermining the institutions they are meant to protect.
