Pete Hegseth aides used lie detector tests 'to undercut rivals'

A number of political rivals of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were targeted with polygraph tests to “undercut” them, four insiders told The Guardian in a report published Thursday.

Hegseth has already been under fire for using polygraph tests to oust leakers and determine loyalty. Four insiders familiar with the matter who spoke to The Guardian on the condition of anonymity said that rivals of Hegseth’s were also targeted, and in some cases, without his knowledge.

In one instance, Department of Defense senior advisor Patrict Weaver, a close Trump ally who worked for the president during his first term, learned that Hegseth’s lawyer, Tim Parlatore, was planning to give him a polygraph test. Weaver complained of the test to associates close to the White House, leading a Trump advisor to confront Hegseth.

According to the insiders, Hegseth said he was unaware of the impending test. The Trump advisor went on to shut down the test, telling Parlatore that “career employees did not get to question political appointees,” two of the insiders told The Guardian.

“The extraordinary episode underscored ongoing concerns around Hegseth’s ability to manage the Pentagon – he is still facing an inspector general report into his disclosures in a Signal chat about US strikes against the Houthis – and why a Trump adviser ended up staging an intervention,” wrote The Guardian’s Hugo Lowell.

Another of Hegseth’s aides, acting DOD Chief of Staff Ricky Buria, reportedly “ordered polygraphs against several people connected to possible and perceived rivals at the Pentagon,” spurring even more complaints from those targeted, including a complaint that the polygraphs had been conducted by outside contractors.

Hegseth’s chaotic tenure leading the DOD has been fraught with controversy, so much so that he’s reportedly been having “serious” discussions over potential exit strategies, among them a potential run for Tennessee governor.