The Department of Homeland Security intensifies its efforts to identify and prosecute employees who leak sensitive information under Secretary Kristi Noem's leadership.
According to Fox News, DHS has taken an "unapologetic" stance on administering lie detector tests to staff members suspected of sharing internal agency information with the public, including a recent polygraph examination of FEMA Chief Cameron Hamilton.
The agency's aggressive approach to containing leaks became public after Hamilton underwent a lie detector test in March following a meeting between DHS officials and Trump advisor Corey Lewandowski. The meeting reportedly centered around discussions about potential plans to eliminate FEMA, an agency that President Trump has repeatedly criticized for its disaster response performance.
DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin emphasized the department's commitment to identifying and prosecuting leakers regardless of their position or status within the organization. The agency maintains that such unauthorized disclosures pose significant risks to national security.
The use of polygraph tests aligns with practices already established in other intelligence and national security agencies. The FBI, CIA, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives routinely employ these tests during background checks and security screenings.
Secretary Noem issued a directive in February mandating that polygraph examinations must include questions about unauthorized communications with media outlets and nonprofit organizations. This directive reflects the department's broader strategy to maintain information security.
The FBI has historically used polygraph screening for potential hires, but significantly increased its use of lie detector tests for employees handling sensitive information after 2001. This shift occurred following the arrest of former FBI agent Robert Hanssen for espionage activities with Russia.
The Pentagon has also joined this trend, announcing in March its plans to investigate national security information leaks through various means, including potential polygraph tests for Defense Department employees.
McLaughlin stated the department's position on Twitter:
The Department of Homeland Security is a national security agency. We can, should, and will polygraph personnel.
The department's heightened security measures come in response to several concerning incidents, including leaked information about Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Colorado and California. Border czar Tom Homan suggested these leaks originated from within the organization and potentially allowed Tren de Aragua gang members to avoid arrest.
Currently, CBP officers and agents must pass polygraph examinations during the hiring process. These tests evaluate candidates' suitability for employment and support internal security investigations.
The department maintains that polygraph testing serves as an essential tool for understanding applicants' past behavior, personal connections, and integrity. This requirement applies to nearly all Border Patrol Agents, Customs and Border Protection Officers, and Air and Marine Operations Agents.
The Department of Homeland Security continues its mission to protect national security through stringent internal controls and personnel screening measures. Under Secretary Noem's direction, the agency has implemented comprehensive polygraph testing protocols to address unauthorized information disclosures. The department's efforts to maintain operational security through polygraph testing and other measures reflect its commitment to preventing leaks that could compromise national security operations.
