Kash Patel ordered polygraph (polygraph) tests on more than two dozen current and former members of the FBI’s security detail as he looked for alleged leaks at the agency, according to sources cited by MS NOW.The audit extended beyond Patel’s security team to include IT staff and other employees with access to details about his schedule and internal decisions. The move follows a wave of negative coverage surrounding Patel’s handling of the office and questions about his conduct in office. This included allegations of heavy drinking, missing important meetings, using agency resources on his girlfriend, and demanding expensive planes and cars from taxpayers’ money.Patel ordered polygraphs this week to determine who spoke to reporters at the agency. Members of the team traveling with Patel, along with staff handling operational information, were among those targeted, according to sources cited by MS NOW.Meanwhile, Patel has reportedly distanced himself from some of the FBI’s top leaders. The sources said that the director’s communications with key operations officials were limited during the week.
This situation has alarmed some within the FBI, who worry that the director may not be closely involved in key investigations and national security matters.FBI spokesman Ben Williamson denied allegations that Patel withdrew from senior staff meetings. He also declined to comment directly on the use of lie detectors.“I attended the usual operations commander meetings with him every day this week,” Williamson said. “This is a lie.”“The only people who are panicking are the ‘paranoidists’ in the media who are spreading false stories because they don’t spend any time covering this FBI’s record crime-reducing success,” he added.These developments follow a report that Patel recently ordered FBI agents to open a criminal investigation into the leak of an article published by The Atlantic. The piece claimed that Patel had been drinking heavily and had difficulty waking up the next morning.Some agents were uncomfortable with the investigation because they did not believe there were strong grounds to scrutinize reporting activities. There were also concerns among agents that refusing to participate could put their jobs at risk.The FBI and Department of Justice initiate criminal leak investigations only when classified information is believed to have been compromised. Such cases rarely involve attempts to examine reporters’ records unless there are serious national security concerns.Patel’s actions and polygraph test show growing concern about his standing with US President Donald Trump. According to MS NOW sources, Trump and his top White House aides have become increasingly frustrated with the negative headlines surrounding Patel. There was also speculation that Kash Patel would “likely” be dropped from the role of FBI director.This is not the first time Patel has allegedly used polygraph examinations within the office.
In a previous incident, dozens of customers were tested after reports emerged that Patel had ordered a firearm through official channels, with details of the order later discussed among the customers.Questions about Patel’s leadership have dogged him for months. In late 2025, reports emerged that Trump and White House advisers had privately discussed whether he should remain FBI director.Patel also faced scrutiny over the use of FBI resources on his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins.
Reports claimed he ordered a team of SWAT agents in Nashville to provide protection and transportation for her. His office defended the arrangement, saying she had received threats and needed additional security measures.Further criticism came after allegations that Patel used a government plane for personal travel, including trips associated with Wilkins’ shows. Earlier this year, he also attracted attention after traveling to Milan during the Winter Olympics. Officials said the trip included security meetings, but videos later showed Patel celebrating with the U.S. men’s ice hockey team after they won the gold medal by drinking beer and spraying alcohol in a locker room.
