Overview
- ProPublica reported that FBI Director Kash Patel issued waivers allowing Deputy Director Dan Bongino and two other senior aides to bypass standard polygraph exams tied to Top Secret/SCI access.
- Reporters said they found no record of Bongino taking a polygraph, while Marshall Yates and Nicole Rucker were described as not clearing exams before receiving waivers and access to SCI.
- FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson called it false that the officials failed polygraphs, labeled the story inaccurate, and argued political appointees were not required to take the tests, a claim national security lawyers disputed.
- Multiple former FBI executives said waivers at that level are exceedingly rare and noted the deputy director’s routine access to the President’s Daily Brief and other highly sensitive intelligence.
- Bongino publicly denied the allegation and said all background-check requirements were met, as Sen. Dick Durbin renewed pressure on Patel after earlier raising concerns about polygraph “disqualifying alerts.”