DHS responds after reports CISA chief allegedly failed polygraph for classified intel access

Sen. John Kennedy wonders whether a polygraph test would 'explode' if Kamala Harris walked by Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., tells 'One Nation' that voters don't know whether Vice President Kamala Harris has the 'right stuff' to be commander-in-chief. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is disputing reports that acting Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Madhu Gottumukkala failed a polygraph after seeking access to highly sensitive intelligence, as an internal investigation and the suspension of multiple career cybersecurity officials deepen turmoil inside the agency, according to a report. Politico reported that Gottumukkala pushed for access to a tightly restricted intelligence program that required a counter-intelligence polygraph and that at least six career staffers were later placed on paid administrative leave for allegedly misleading leadership about the requirement, an assertion DHS strongly denies. The outlet said its reporting was based on interviews with four former and eight current cybersecurity officials, including multiple Trump administration appointees who worked with Gottumukkala or had knowledge of the polygraph examination and the events that followed. All 12 were granted anonymity over concerns about retaliation, according to Politico. DHS pushed back on the reporting, saying the polygraph at issue was not authorized and that disciplinary action against career staff complied with department policy. KRISTI NOEM SAYS BIDEN USED DHS 'TO INVADE THE COUNTRY WITH TERRORISTS' DHS disputes reports that acting CISA Director Madhu Gottumukkala failed a polygraph as staff are suspended amid an internal investigation and intel access dispute. (CISA Facebook) "Acting Director Madhu Gottumukkala did not fail a sanctioned polygraph test. An unsanctioned polygraph test was coordinated by staff, misleading incoming CISA leadership," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. "The employees in question were placed on administrative leave, pending conclusion of an investigation ." "We expect and require the highest standards of performance from our employees and hold them directly accountable to uphold all policies and procedures," she continued. "Acting Director Gottumukkala has the complete and full support of the Secretary and is laser focused on returning the agency to its statutory mission." Politico also reported that Gottumukkala failed a polygraph during the final week of July, citing five current officials and one former official. WHITE HOUSE CALLS REPORT ABOUT TRUMP CONSIDERING FIRING NOEM 'TOTAL FAKE NEWS' DHS disputes reports that acting CISA Director Madhu Gottumukkala failed a polygraph as staff are suspended amid an internal investigation and intel access dispute. (CISA Facebook) The test was administered to determine whether he would be eligible to review one of the most sensitive intelligence programs shared with CISA by another U.S. spy agency, according to the outlet. That intelligence was part of a controlled access program with strict distribution limits, and the originating agency required any CISA personnel granted need-to-know access to first pass a counter-intelligence polygraph, according to four current officials and one former official cited by Politico. As a civilian agency, most CISA employees do not require access to such highly classified material or a polygraph...

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