Hegseth wants lie detector tests for top military officers over Musk-China leak
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (Photo: Getty Images)
A scandal has erupted in Washington as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth angrily threatened high-ranking military officials with polygraph tests following a leak regarding a planned briefing for Elon Musk on China.
According to sources, Hegseth expressed his frustration during two separate meetings, accusing senior military officers of leaking information to the media.
During a heated exchange with Admiral Christopher Grady, then-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Hegseth shouted, "I'll hook you up to a [expletive] polygraph!"
His anger stemmed from reports that the Pentagon had arranged a briefing for Musk, which incensed President Donald Trump, who asserted that Musk should not receive any information due to his business ties with China.
Hegseth also directed similar threats at Lieutenant General Doug Sims, the director of the Joint Staff, further escalating tensions within the Pentagon.
These incidents have raised alarms among military leaders.
Hegseth's controversies
These events are just the latest in a series of controversies surrounding Hegseth since his appointment three months ago.
Recently, he added his wife and personal lawyer to a Signal group chat where he discussed US military plans against Houthi targets in Yemen, raising serious security protocol concerns.
A former Pentagon official remarked, "Never in my life have I seen anything like this."
Experts are increasingly worried about Hegseth's capability to handle such a critical role, suggesting that his actions could have severe implications for national security.
As the situation unfolds, questions about Hegseth's qualifications for the role of Defense Secretary continue to mount.
Sources: The Independent, ABC News.
