FBI Director Waived Polygraph Security Screening for Three Senior Staff
7 days ago
- #FBI
- #Polygraph Waivers
- #National Security
- FBI Director Kash Patel granted waivers to Deputy Director Dan Bongino and two other senior FBI staff, exempting them from polygraph exams required for top-secret clearances.
- Bongino, with no prior FBI experience, oversees daily FBI operations, including surveillance missions and managing field offices, despite not passing standard background checks.
- Bongino gained prominence in conservative media, pushing conspiracy theories about the 2020 election and expressing loyalty to former President Donald Trump.
- The FBI denied claims that Bongino and others failed polygraph tests, stating they followed all security protocols, but did not specify inaccuracies in reports.
- Polygraph waivers for senior FBI officials are rare, with former officials recalling only one instance under Director Christopher Wray.
- Marshall Yates and Nicole Rucker, also granted waivers, did not pass polygraph exams but received high-level clearances; neither had prior FBI experience.
- An FBI Security Division employee filed a complaint alleging the waivers violated policy, with concerns about protecting classified information and foreign infiltration.
- The FBI has recently used polygraphs to question employees about negative comments about Patel, raising concerns about political loyalty tests.
- Over 50 FBI officials have been fired or pushed out since January, including those involved in politically sensitive probes like investigations into Jan. 6 rioters and Trump.
- Patel justified firings under Article II of the Constitution, a move challenged in courts, with claims some agents were involved in misconduct against Trump allies.