Staffers quit over Kristi Noem's 4-hour 'fishing expedition' polygraphs: report

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Raw Story

May 21, 2025 9:16AM ET


Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's obsession with tracking down leakers in her department has led to an exodus of employees who would rather quit than listen to threats or be subjected to intrusive polygraph tests.

According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, the polygraphs that began back in February have continued unabated as she and top adviser Corey Lewandowski have personally singled out employees in numbers that one former official labeled "unprecedented."

With the Journal's Michelle Hackman and Tarini Parti labeling what is going on behind closed doors at the agency as a "fishing expedition," they reported, "... many have said the seeming randomness has created a chilling effect inside the department." The report notes that some interrogations that have taken place "in a small interrogation room in Virginia with a one-way mirror," have lasted up to four hours and that has helped lead to an exodus from the department.

"Some employees have been placed on administrative leave following their polygraphs, while others have resigned rather than take the exams, according to people familiar with the dynamics inside DHS," the report states while also noting that Noem confidante Madison Sheahan, the No. 2 official at ICE, "... routinely threatens to subject employees to polygraphs in meetings."

Read more: https://www.rawstory.com/noem-leakers-staffers-quit/

[tanyev]

1. Top Adviser and Snuggle Bunny Corey Lewandowski.

[orleans]

31. mr. "womp womp" himself, eh? looks like her plan is working: empty out the office, get rid of all employees

and cosplay barbie and snuggle bunny can do the lewandowski WOMP WOMP on her desk without staffer interruptus

[BoRaGard]

2. Sorting out their KGB-Stasi-Style-RepubliKlones

Anyone loyal to the Constitution, the USA, or the Rule of Law is immediately fingered, then flung under the bus.

Only submissively obedient entities who will swear an oath to The Tyrant (R) will be kept.

Tromp, tromp, tromp - G.O.P. Boots are stomping on America, democracy, and the truth.

[Irish_Dem]

3. This is the goal. All decent professional employees will quit.

Deviant MAGAs will be the only people in the federal workforce.

[groundloop]

18. It sucks that many good employees are leaving, but I can't blame them one bit.

[Irish_Dem]

19. I don't blame them. Working for the Trump Crime Syndicate is not on my bucket list.

[diverdownjt]

35. I wish they wouldn't quit, because we need people on our side watching them....

I understand how painful that is. I worked for 25yrs. at DIA(denver int. airport) surrounded by these nutjobs...and I don't
want hear it...these assholes got zero redeeming qualities. I had 2 other Dem's in my 25 person workgroup. If these good
govt. types stick it out they might be in place when this all goes to hell in a hand basket. We need their experience and
competence to put things right when the time comes. Does this sound right? I hope so.

[Irish_Dem]

38. Anyone decent and professional will most likely get fired.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

4. Is this the same Kristi Noem who, a couple of days ago, said this?

And this is coming from Been A Dick Donald's DHS Secy.

[Just Jerome]

11. "Honorable?"

[ShazzieB]

14. Well done, Sen. Hassan!

Don't let that stupid lying scum bucket get away with her stupid lies!

Seriously, Hassan handled that brilliantly, and Noem's empty minded ignorance was on full display! This is the kind of video footage that makes me proud to be a Democrat!

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

22. They need to start spelling her name right, Gnome.

[NBachers]

25. We've seen this before

[calimary]

27. Clearly she's gotten where she is because she's easy on the eyes.

Seen it. They get away with more if they’re pretty.

[progressoid]

40. She may have had some work done...

Link to tweet

[calimary]

41. Kinda looks like it!

She looked just fine in the “Before” photo. Naturally pretty. Now, she looks rather contrived and artificial. That’s quite an overhaul!

Maybe a more accurate match for her personality now, though.

[progressoid]

42. Mar-a-Lago face

The plastic surgery trend that’s taking over Trump’s inner circle

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/mar-lago-face-plastic-surgery-121904835.html

[FakeNoose]

43. We already know that Noem has no law degree

... and apparently no comprehension of basic legal terminology either.

[Puppyjive]

5. I would take her damn polygraph

And then tell her to shove it up her ass. That is clearly unreasonable search and seizure. One thing is really clear to me about this administration and the losers they appoint: They have no clue how to govern.

[rubbersole]

8. Governing is so 2024...

Griftin' is the mission of the day.

[flying_wahini]

9. Which is exactly WHY they were appointed.

Stupidity is a feature, not a flaw for Trumpies.

[IronLionZion]

20. She doesn't know what's in the very first article of the US constitution

let alone the fourth amendment. She doesn't care about your rights. I suspect she would fail a US citizenship exam.

[calimary]

28. "... but she photographs well... "

[Falcon101]

6. Case Study

Perfect case study for leadership classes on how to increase employee motivation and engagement.

[Initech]

7. This is what you get for replacing competence with cable news conspiracy theorists.

[Midnight Writer]

10. The people most likely to quit are the most competent ones, the ones who have other prospects.

As for the rest, treat your workers like shit and they are not going to give you their best.

[Bayard]

24. Which will no doubt be framed as--they had something to hide

[LiberalArkie]

12. But no way that the leaks came from themselves through their fantastic signal app and drunks talking

[Exp]

13. Trump and Co hate others as much as they hate themselves. nt

[crimycarny]

15. Polygraphs aren't admissible in court for a reason!

They are junk science with results that vary wildly based on the polygrapher and analysis of the tests.

Studies have shown that people with anxiety disorders are likely to fail a polygraph test even when telling the truth, and people who are sociopaths (like Trump) can pass a polygraph test when lying with abandon.

What a complete farce and waste of taxpayer money. Kristi Noem needs to go back to her costume-wearing cosplay.

[multigraincracker]

32. It's easy. Just focus on tightening your butt hole the whole time.

[24601]

46. That might have worked in the past. But a movement pad was added about a decade ago. NT

[multigraincracker]

47. After I passes it the cop cofessed

[24601]

36. While polygraph results aren't admissible in court, any statements you make during the exam are. You are also required

to acknowledge that the exam, as well as accompanying conversations, may be observed & recorded.

[crimycarny]

45. That's why I'd never take one

It never makes sense to me how much weight police put on if someone passes or fails a polygraph. And if they refuse a polygraph, they are assumed to be guilty.

But, as everyone is pointing out, Noem is forcing the polygraphs as an attempt to intimidate. I have to wonder how much this is costing taxpayers. Not just in the test itself, but in the aftermath of people quitting, reduced productivity, etc.

[multigraincracker]

48. The perso giving me the test said 90%

of those he gave the test confess before they went any further.
During any questions by the police, demand you a lawyer with you. Your 5th Amendment Right. Then don’t say anything.
Police can legally lie to you and you can’t to them.

[William Seger]

37. Yep, the only purpose of a polygraph is intimidation

... but for that purpose, they are effective, because most people think they really are "lie detectors."

[FakeNoose]

44. Of course but Noem doesn't care

She just wants to intimidate (and force the resignation of) anyone who might become a snitch later on. This was probably Chump's idea because he hates people who prefer to tell the truth.

[rickyhall]

16. C-word

[LymphocyteLover]

17. she is a horrible sick brain-damaged person

[Jack Valentino]

21. Kristi Noem ought to be subjected to polygraph, to see if she actually believes

half of the stupid shit which comes out of her mouth!


I would be interested in the results of that....

[JohnnyRingo]

23. The whole of them are drunk with power.

They all want to be dictators in their departments.
The final word, the ultimate judge, and the unquestioned authority, answering only to the Big Boss.. Every one of them.

When he was running he said he was going to be a dictator on day one. MAGAs voted for him anyway, but if they let him be a dictator on day one, he can be a dictator on day two and three.

[calimary]

26. Well THAT'S gonna do wonders for employee morale.

[RockRaven]

29. Context: polygraphs are woo-woo, dowsing rods, Ouija boards. They are bunk.

[YoshidaYui]

30. THEY SHOULD ALL QUIT,.. JUSt walk out giving her and TRUMP the finger

all those phones ringing, who is gonna answer them all . Kristi You?

|}

[multigraincracker]

33. Let's feed her and her boss to a pack of hungry dogs.

[Emile]

34. Kristi Noem should be drug tested immediately.

[Javaman]

39. she lives by the belief of, "it's better to look good that to be (feel) good"

she's a sociopath of low intelligence