Kash Patel targets press, leakers as FBI director

Incident Details

Date of Incident: April 28, 2025
Location: Washington, District of Columbia
Targets: Media

Chilling Statement

April 28, 2025

Shortly after President Donald Trump’s second term began, FBI Director Kash Patel joined Trump in taking steps to intimidate leakers and news outlets that have covered him and his administration unfavorably. We’re documenting Patel’s efforts in this regularly updated report.

Read about how Trump’s appointees and allies in Congress are striving to chill reporting, revoke funding, censor critical coverage and more here.

This article was first published on May 23, 2025.

April 28, 2025 | FBI director announces use of polygraphs in identifying leaks

FBI Director Kash Patel directed the bureau in April 2025 to begin administering polygraph exams to employees to identify the sources behind leaks to the media, The Washington Post reported.

A spokesperson told the Post that, “The seriousness of the specific leaks in question precipitated the polygraphs, as they involved potential damage to security protocols at the bureau.”

The investigations have been bolstered by Attorney General Pam Bondi’s reversal of Biden-era policies that protected journalists from having their records seized or being forced to testify amid leak investigations.

The new guidelines broadened the scope to not only leaks of classified material, but also “privileged and other sensitive information,” which could include details that are embarrassing to the administration or undermine its perspectives.

An official with top-secret clearance told the Post it’s a “toxic environment.”

“First, you’ve got the insecurity of not knowing whether you’re going to get fired or not,” the official said. “Then there’s the witch hunt to find the whistleblowers who are exposing the ineptitude and bad management of agencies. They’re trying to silence those who do not follow the party line.”

Similar efforts to root out suspected leakers and disloyal “deep state” employees have also been announced by National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

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The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker catalogues press freedom violations in the United States. Email tips to [email protected].