Kristi Noem defends highly controversial test for DHS staff, but does it work?

Washington D.C.: Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem is standing firm on her controversial policy of administering polygraph tests to staff members in an effort to identify and eliminate leaks of sensitive information.

Reports have revealed that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Chief Cameron Hamilton was subjected to a lie detector test following suspicions that he may have leaked details from a private meeting with one of Trump’s advisors. Hamilton passed the test and was cleared of any wrongdoing, according to Politico.

Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, defended the practice, stating, “Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, DHS is unapologetic about its efforts to root out leakers that undermine national security.”

The crackdown follows concerns raised by Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, who alleged that internal leaks had tipped off members of the Tren de Aragua gang about impending ICE raids, allowing them to evade arrest in Colorado and California. In February, Noem issued an internal memo mandating that future polygraph tests include questions about unauthorized communications with journalists and private citizens.

ALSO READ

ALIEN ENEMIES ACT: SCOTUS gives POTUS a big win, but Trump supporters need to read the fine print

Donald Trump's DOJ turns on its own lawyer as Kilmar Abrego Garcia case heads to standoff

Noem has already identified two individuals accused of leaking sensitive ICE raid details, stating, “We plan to prosecute these two individuals and hold them accountable".

Earlier this year, Trump suggested potentially eliminating FEMA, arguing that states should handle disaster response independently. Hamilton, however, has defended the agency’s role, calling it “a critical agency which performs an essential mission in support of our national security".