The Department of Defense, under Pete Hegseth, is reportedly requiring military officials involved in the Trump administration’s Caribbean strikes to sign non-disclosure agreements, even though existing rules already cover national security secrets. These strikes, which have resulted in at least 57 deaths since September, have drawn scrutiny and concerns from lawmakers and human rights groups. The administration defends these attacks as targeting drug traffickers, yet has been criticized for a lack of transparency, including withholding unedited footage and details about the victims. Hegseth has also taken steps to control information, including restricting press access and limiting communication between generals and Congress.
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Pentagon plans widespread random polygraph testing, nondisclosure agreements, Washington Post reports. Hmm, okay, so let’s unpack this, shall we? The news, as reported by the Washington Post, indicates the Pentagon is gearing up for a widespread rollout of random polygraph tests and new nondisclosure agreements, or NDAs. My initial thought? This feels…unsettling. Not because these tools are particularly effective, but because of the underlying implications.
The whole idea of widespread random polygraph testing in 2025 feels a bit archaic, doesn’t it? Polygraphs, or lie detectors, have been around for ages, but the scientific community has largely debunked them. They’re essentially pseudoscience.… Continue reading
California lawmakers have unanimously passed a bill, AB 1370, that prohibits them from signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) when making decisions about taxpayer funds or creating state laws. This legislation was prompted by reports of NDAs being used to conceal details of the $1.1 billion Capital Annex project and during negotiations for the fast-food labor law, including an exemption for bakeries. While the bill marks a step toward transparency, it is limited to lawmakers and does not restrict the use of NDAs by lobbyists or the Governor’s office. The bill has now advanced to the State Senate for further consideration.
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