DHS employees face invasive polygraph tests as Secretary Kristi Noem intensifies efforts to crack down on information leaks, leading to resignations and raising concerns about civil liberties.

At a Glance

• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has dramatically increased polygraph testing to identify staff leaking information
• Employees undergo extensive physical monitoring during tests conducted by Transportation Security Administration staff
• The practice has created a “chilling effect” with some workers placed on leave or resigning
• Tests previously used only for clearances and investigations now target internal discontent
• DHS leadership defends the practice as necessary to protect national security

Expanded Polygraph Program Targets Leakers

The Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Kristi Noem has significantly ramped up polygraph testing of employees in a controversial effort to identify staff leaking information to media outlets. The practice, first reported in March, was initially linked to concerns about unauthorized disclosures regarding low Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrest numbers. Since then, the program has expanded to include employees from various DHS components, including immigration agencies, FEMA, and press offices.

Employees summoned for testing at DHS headquarters in Virginia undergo an intrusive process involving body movement recording, blood pressure cuffs, oxygen monitors, and chest tubes. The tests are conducted by specialized personnel from an office within the Transportation Security Administration, an agency typically focused on airport security. Some staff members who have undergone these examinations have subsequently been placed on administrative leave or have chosen to resign.

DHS employees report growing number of polygraph tests under Secretary Noem to detect disloyalty and leaks. https://t.co/EZsbVOdwbT

— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) May 21, 2025

Unprecedented Scope Raises Concerns

While polygraph tests have long been part of DHS protocols for security clearance procedures, job applications, and formal investigations, their current application represents a significant expansion. The tests now appear aimed at addressing internal discontent and identifying sources of media leaks rather than their traditional security functions. This shift has created what insiders describe as a “chilling effect” throughout the department, with many employees viewing the practice as an intimidating “fishing expedition.”

The expanded polygraph program raises significant questions about the balance between legitimate security concerns and employee rights. While other Trump administration officials have employed similar techniques in the past, observers note that the current implementation appears unusually broad in scope. The Independent has sought additional information from DHS regarding the policy’s parameters and implementation, though specific details about the number of employees tested or disciplinary actions taken remain limited.

#DHS #Employees #Polygraphs #for #Loyalty, #Not #Classified #Info #news #breaking #breakingnews https://t.co/calMei4ldw

— Brian Brown, Ph.D. (@BrianBrownNet) May 21, 2025

DHS Defends Security Measures

Department leadership has vigorously defended the polygraph program as necessary to protect national security interests. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized the administration’s commitment to identifying those who might compromise sensitive information. The department maintains that preventing unauthorized disclosures is central to its security mission and falls within its legal authorities.

Secretary Noem herself has indicated her intention to use all available tools to fulfill the administration’s objectives. “The authorities that I have under the Department of Homeland Security are broad and extensive, and I plan to use every single one of them to make sure that we’re following the law, that we are following the procedures in place to keep people safe, and that we’re making sure we’re following through on what President Trump has promised,” Noem stated. The department faces the challenging task of maintaining operational security while preserving employee morale and respecting privacy concerns.