Hegseth's Aggressive Response to Military Leaks Includes Threatening Polygraphs

Politics

Hegseth's Aggressive Response to Military Leaks Includes Threatening Polygraphs

7 months ago

News sources:

SALON

ABCNEWS

HUFFPOST

Hegseth's Aggressive Response to Military Leaks Includes Threatening Polygraphs

Credited from: ABCNEWS

Hegseth threatened military officials with polygraph tests over leaked information.
The threats followed negative media reports regarding classified briefings.
Hegseth's behavior has created a tense atmosphere within the Pentagon.

In a series of alarming incidents, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has threatened top military officers with lie detector tests amid growing concerns about leaks from within the Pentagon. According to reports, Hegseth specifically targeted Admiral Christopher Grady, the then-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, shouting, “I’ll hook you up to a f**king polygraph!” over suspicions related to a media leak about a classified briefing for Elon Musk on China, as detailed by Salon and ABC News.

Hegseth's aggressive oversight came during a tumultuous period within the Defense Department, where he accused high-ranking officials of leaking damaging information. Following similar outbursts, he also threatened Lt. Gen. Doug Sims, bringing to light a hostile work atmosphere characterized by intimidation, as noted in accounts from HuffPost and ABC News.

Hegseth's management style has drawn criticism not only for his hostile approach but also for exposing sensitive military plans in unsecured communications, prompting speculation about his future as Secretary of Defense. The chaotic situation has led some critics within the Republican Party to suggest his removal, as detailed by HuffPost and Salon.