US defense department workers may be subject to lie detector tests as the Pentagon looks into alleged leaks of national security information.
The department’s intelligence and law enforcement arms are conducting the investigation, which is the latest by Donald Trump‘s administration.
In a memo sent late on Friday, defense secretary Pete Hegseth’s chief of staff requested an investigation into “unauthorized disclosures of national security information” that could potentially involve polygraph tests.
Donald Trump and Elon Musk met at the White House on Friday. Pic: AP
The details of the alleged leaks were not provided in the memo.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Trump had to deny reports that Elon Musk would be briefed on US military strategies for a theoretical war with China.
Mr. Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) advisory group, visited the Pentagon on Friday to discuss “efficiencies” and “innovations,” according to Mr. Hegseth.
Prior to the meeting, The New York Times stated that the tech billionaire would be briefed on plans for how the US could prepare for a potential conflict with China – a claim that was refuted by both Mr. Musk and the president.
Mr. Musk labeled the report as “pure propaganda” and called for legal action against anyone leaking information.
The memo calling for an investigation mentioned that if it uncovered information “identifying a party responsible for an unauthorized disclosure,” that information could be used for criminal prosecution.
Elon Musk and US defense secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon. Pic: Reuters
Speaking at the White House after the meeting, Mr. Trump stated that he did not want to reveal US strategies for a potential conflict with China to anyone and suggested a possible conflict of interest with Mr. Musk.
“Elon has interests in China, and he could possibly be influenced by that,” the president remarked.
Read more:
Trump announces ‘most lethal aircraft ever built’
Conor McGregor says he wants to be Ireland’s next president
<div class="sdc-article-widget sdc-article-custom-markup " data-component-na…