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The Department of Homeland Security is responding to reports that Secretary Kristi Noem allegedly warned employees that polygraph tests will be used to combat potential leaks from agency officials about the location of upcoming immigration raids.
Noem issued an internal directive last week stating polygraphs administered by DHS must include a question about unauthorized communication with media outlets and nonprofits, according to a report by Bloomberg Government.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin shared Bloomberg’s story on X and wrote in a caption that the department is a national security agency and it “can, should and will polygraph personnel.” The DHS main account reposted McLaughlin’s post.
DHS currently administers polygraph exams during the hiring process for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and agents in order to determine “suitability for employment” and “in support of internal and counterintelligence investigations,” according to the agency’s website.
“The federal government uses the polygraph exam to understand an applicants’ past behavior, personal connections, and personal integrity. Almost every Border Patrol Agent, Customs and Border Protection Officer, and Air and Marine Operations Agent who has joined CBP has taken, and passed, a Polygraph Exam,” DHS said on a webpage explaining why it administers polygraph exams to CBP applicants.
The Department of Homeland Security does administer polygraph exams to applicants seeking a position with Customs and Border Protection. (Reuters)
DHS does not require that others employed by the agency take polygraph exams.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Homeland Security for comment.