The FBI is using polygraph tests to identify leaks to the news media, following the lead of the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FBI Director Kash Patel ordered the bureau to administer polygraph tests to identify the source of information leaks, according to an FBI spokesperson, and those tests have begun in recent weeks, The Washington Post reported Monday.

“The seriousness of the specific leaks in question precipitated the polygraphs, as they involved potential damage to security protocols at the bureau,” the spokesperson said, declining to elaborate.

Polygraph testing is a requirement at large intelligence agencies to establish employment eligibility and for continued access to classified materials.

Attorney General Pam Bondi has also issued new legal guidelines, allowing the Department of Justice to subpoena reporters' personal communications and the potential criminal prosecution of leaks regarding classified material and “privileged and other sensitive” information that the administration says is “designed to sow chaos and distrust” in the government.

DHS began performing polygraph tests on employees last month to determine who could be leaking information about immigration operations to the news media, NBC News reported. FEMA, which is under DHS, has also given polygraph tests to dozens of employees, according to CNN. Employees have been fired at both agencies in recent weeks.