Washington. This is the first and rare case of distrust and investigation on officials in America. Polygraph tests of about 50 Pentagon officials were conducted after confidential information related to the decreasing stockpile of American weapons during the Iran War reached the media. On the instructions of US President Donald Trump, the officials were asked whether they gave classified information to journalists and whether they shared information related to the depleting US arms stockpile. The investigation was conducted in August. The search for leaks in the Pentagon intensified after reports revealed shortages in the stockpile of critical weapons such as long-range missiles and interceptors of Patriot missiles. About 1,500 to 2,000 officers and staff serve on the Joint Staff, which coordinates U.S. military operations and war plans around the world.
First case of conducting polygraph test on a large scale
This is the first case of such a large-scale polygraph test being conducted at this level in American military history. Former top Navy legal officer Rear Admiral Donald J. Gutter said he had never seen polygraph use on such a wide scale and among such senior officials.
Inquiry conducted on Trump's instructions
After confidential information related to the decreasing stockpile of American weapons during the Iran war came to light in the media, the Pentagon intensified the investigation of the leak. About 50 military officers and employees were subjected to polygraph test to find out whether they had shared classified information with journalists.
There was a stir due to the information about arms stock being leaked
At the center of the investigation was sensitive information related to the dwindling stockpile of American weapons. Reports revealed shortages in stocks of critical weapons such as long-range missiles and interceptors of Patriot missiles. After this, efforts began to find out how this confidential information reached the media.
Up to 2,000 officers and employees in the Joint Staff
About 1,500 to 2,000 officers and employees work in the Joint Staff. This organization plays an important role in coordinating US military operations and war plans around the world. In such a situation, the possibility of leakage of sensitive information was taken very seriously.
Test on such a large scale for the first time in American military history
This is said to be the first case of polygraph test being conducted on such a large scale and among such senior officers in American military history. Former top Navy legal officer Rear Admiral Donald J. Gutter said he had never seen polygraph use on such a wide scale and among such senior officials.