WASHINGTON (TNND) — The Department of Defense is considering measures that will require more than 5,000 Pentagon personnel to be subjected to random polygraph testing and strict nondisclosure agreements (NDA), all in an effort of curbing information leaks to the press.
Two policy memos, unsigned and undated, were drafted by Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg and were obtained by the Washington Post. All personnel working within the office of the defense secretary and the Joint Staff could soon be required to sign an NDA that “prohibits the release of non-public information without approval or through a defined process.” There are already regulations and laws put in place which prohibit and punish Pentagon personnel from disclosing classified information, as well as some unclassified information that is not known to the public to unauthorized sources.
“The protection of sensitive information is paramount to our national security, the safety of our warfighters, and the preservation of critical decision space for our senior leaders,” Feinberg wrote in the NDA policy memo. Those who fail to sign the NDA would be punished.
Individuals from the Pentagon told the Washington Post that they viewed the NDA’s intention to have a chilling effect on personnel speaking with members of the press. It’s an attempt to prevent the leak of information — such as the two policy memos — from being shared with the public.
“The real concern is not about foreign intelligence,” the source told the Washington Post. “It’s about tamping down people who they think are leaking to the press. … These are pucker factor, scare tactics. The overriding theme here is to try and cause as much fear in the workplace as possible.”
To coincide with the NDA, the random polygraph testing differs from the current policy, in which personnel are subjected to a test every few years to maintain their security clearance. However, Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Staff personnel with access to classified information aren’t currently subjected to random polygraphs. However, Feinberg’s memos would mean this would change. It did not specify if there were limitations on who could be tested, meaning that a four-star general could be subjected to testing.
Meanwhile, just a couple of months ago, the White House ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to temporarily stop using polygraph tests on team members, in an effort to squelch the media leaks. The White House’s order was in response to a complaint filed by top adviser Patrick Weaver.
The release of the two memos also comes as the Pentagon is requiring Pentagon reporters to sign an agreement that they not publish information —regardless if it’s classified or unclassified — unless it’s been authorized for release. Those who refuse to sign could be stripped of their press credentials.
The National News Desk reached out to the Pentagon for comment.
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