NonilexOct 1, 2025

When you’ve got something to hide…

#Pentagon plans widespread random #polygraphs, #NDAs to stanch #leaks

The Pentagon plans to impose strict nondisclosure agreements & random lie detector tests for scores of people in its headquarters, including many top officials, acc/to 2 people familiar with the proposal & documents obtained by WaPo, escalating #Defense Secy #PeteHegseth’s war on leakers & internal #dissent.

#Trump #military #transparency #journalism
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/10/01/pentagon-pete-hegseth-crackdown-leaks/

Pentagon plans widespread random polygraphs, NDAs to stanch leaks

The Pentagon is planning to require thousands of uniformed and civilian officials to sign nondisclosure agreements and submit to random polygraph testing.

The Washington Post
Show threadNonilexOct 1, 2025

All #military service members, civilian employees & contract workers within the office of the #defense secretary & the Joint Staff [#JCS], estimated to be >5,000 personnel, would be required to sign a #NDA that “prohibits the release of non-public information without approval or through a defined process,” acc/to a draft memo from Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg.

#Trump #Hegseth #transparency #MafiaState

Show threadNonilexOct 1, 2025

A separate document also from Feinberg would establish a program to randomly #polygraph those ofcls. The documents do not prescribe a limit on who would be subjected to these #NDAs & tests, suggesting it could include everyone from four-star generals to administrative assistants.

The efforts are part of a wider strategy by the #Trump admin & the #Pentagon to ferret out ofcls deemed insufficiently #loyal or who provide info to reporters.

#military #Hegseth #transparency #journalism #MafiaState

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Former officials & #NationalSecurity lawyers pointed to ALREADY EXISTING restrictions & penalties for unauthorized release of information, indicating these new measures were meant to further #frighten & deter personnel.

“This seems to be far more directed at ensuring loyalty to #DOD & the #Trump administration leadership rather than countering any foreign espionage,” said Mark Zaid, a lawyer who has represented multiple #whistleblowers & govt ofcls targeted by the Trump admin.

#MafiaState

Oct 1, 2025 at 4:15pmWeb
Show threadNonilexOct 1, 2025

“There are reasons why individuals were not required to take #polygraphs before. And I would question why now the #polygraph, & an overbroad #NDA is being required other than to #intimidate the workforce & ensure tighter #control,” Zaid added.

…The proposed NDA prohibits personnel from providing any info that is not public “without approval or through a defined process,” which aligns w/language the #DOD is currently requiring #reporters to sign to maintain their #Pentagon #press credentials.

Show threadNonilexOct 1, 2025

It is one of many policies being rolled out by #Hegseth — including new limits on the military’s #independent service #InspectorsGeneral & #EqualOpportunity offices — that may ultimately reduce the number of avenues #ServiceMembers or #defense personnel have to point out potential problems in the #Pentagon without going through their chain of command.

#military #Trump #transparency #CultureOfSilence #journalism #MafiaState