Pentagon plans widespread random polygraphs, NDAs to stanch leaks

Question

Thousands of uniformed and civilian officials would be required to sign nondisclosure agreements and take lie detector tests, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ramps up war on leakers. The Pentagon plans to impose strict nondisclosure agreements and random polygraph testing for scores of people in its headquarters, including many top officials, according to two people familiar with the proposal and documents obtained by The Washington Post, escalating Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s war on leakers and internal dissent.

All military service members, civilian employees and contract workers within the Office of the Defense Secretary and the Joint Staff, estimated to be more than 5,000 personnel, would be required to sign a nondisclosure agreement that “prohibits the release of non-public information without approval or through a defined process,” according to a draft memo from Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg.

Answer 1

The statement is true. The Washington posts report comes from memos sent by Steve Feinberg the Deputy Defense Secretary, the post offers the reasoning as a strategy of the Trump administration to root out officials disloyal to his administration but don't have any proof, its mostly speculation. Sean Parnell the Chief Pentagon spokesperson declined to comment on the proposed plan but wrote in an email that report by the Washington post was "untrue and Irresponsible". Again no other viable news outlets that I can find report on this other than reciting this article. A CNN video on YouTube talks about this and brings in speakers to give opinions but no facts concerning the proposed polygraph testing and NDA agreements.
Most of the sources covering the Washington posts article are pretty leftward leaning and say Its part of Trump Administrations agenda without any evidence only what seems reasonable.

The Washington Post also links none of the primary sources and you don't really have context to the quotes so without that I don't think there's enough evidence come to a conclusion about the reasoning behind the proposed plan, but it is a real plan.

Washington Post article
CNN video
 

Comments

Interestingly, you said the claim was true when I read what you said, but it sounded like you didn't agree. I thought the claim was false due to a lack of substantial evidence. I am not saying I don't think it's true; it's just that there is not enough media out there to back up the claims. If it is true, this is some red scare level of paranoia in our government. I hope there are more sources that come out on this topic

Answer 2

This statement is true according to the ABC 33/40 News article written by Elaine Mallon and published by The National News Desk. The Pentagon is planning to enforce widespread, sporadic polygraph tests and new NDA's to attempt to curb leaks that may affect over 5,000 employees in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Staff. However, officials at the Pentagon noted that the plans are not yet finalized, leading to measures not yet fully and officially gone into effect. 

http://abc3340.com/news/nation-world/pentagon-plans-polygraph-tests-ndas-to-stem-leaks-5000-could-face-random-scrutiny-washington-post-report-press-media-information

Comments

This fact checks is quick to the point and easy to read, which I appreciate. I am curious about the legitimacy of your source and if you have any other information, as I've seen that there is still some unanswered questions about the measure and whether or not a primary source can back it up.