Thompson, Himes, Swalwell Write Kristi Noem Demanding Briefing on CISA Polygraph Debacle
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee, and Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanding a briefing regarding the suspension of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) employees for conducting a polygraph test on someone seeking access to highly sensitive cybersecurity intelligence, which is standard practice.
According to news reports, acting CISA director Madhu Gottumukkala reportedly sought unusual access to highly classified information from another agency that required a need-to-know and a polygraph test. After he failed the polygraph, six career staff involved in the process had their access to classified information suspended and were placed on administrative leave.
“Under your leadership, Department of Homeland Security employees are routinely subject to polygraph tests to identify journalists’ sources of information that is embarrassing to you,” the Ranking Members wrote. “If you can justify the use of polygraph tests on employees to spare yourself or the Department embarrassment, certainly you can understand their use as part of routine counter-intelligence screenings aimed at securing our Nation’s most sensitive information. Moreover, Acting Director Gottumukkala’s persistence in seeking access to highly sensitive information he did not need-to-know, coupled with his failed polygraph test, raise serious questions about his fitness to lead CISA.”
In addition to the briefing, the Ranking Members demand that any derogatory information about any of the six career employees suspended in relation to this incident be removed from their personnel records forthwith.
Link to letter
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