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** OPINION
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** Homeland Security is using lie detector tests to hunt for leaks to the press
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South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, appears before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for her confirmation hearing in Washington, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

The Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, has begun performing polygraph tests on employees to determine if they are leaking information about immigration operations to the media.

During an interview with “Face the Nation” and moderator Margaret Brennan on Sunday, Noem said plans to use the “broad and extensive” authorities of her role, adding, “I plan to use every single one of them to make sure that we're following the law, that we are following the procedures in place to keep people safe, and that we're making sure we're following through on what President Trump has promised — that he's going to make America safe again.”

The Associated Press’ Christine Fernando noted ([link removed]) , “While these polygraph exams are typically not admissible in court proceedings, they are frequently used by federal law enforcement agencies and for national security clearances.”

And in a statement, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said, “The Department of Homeland Security is a national security agency. We can, should, and will polygraph personnel.”

NBC News’ Julia Ainsley and Jonathan Allen reported ([link removed]) that Noem and border czar Tom Homan have blamed lower-than-expected Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrest numbers on leaks to the media revealing where such operations might take place.

Noem posted a video on X last week and wrote ([link removed]) , “We have identified criminal leakers within @DHSGov and are preparing to refer these perpetrators to the @DOJ for felony prosecutions. These individuals face up to 10 years in federal prison. We will find and root out all leakers. They will face prison time & we will get justice for the American people.”

Ainsley and Allen wrote, “It was not clear if those two employees Noem referred to had been identified through a polygraph test. It’s also not clear how many employees have been polygraphed or may face polygraph tests, but sources said the employees asked to take the tests so far have been in different agencies across DHS.”

Noem also told Brennan on “Face the Nation,” “Anyone who is leaking information outside of how something is planned for the safety of those law enforcement officers needs to be held accountable for that.”

Again, from several reports, lie detector tests are not uncommon among some federal agencies when it comes to hiring someone. But this is different: This appears to be the first time polygraphs are being used to ask employees specific questions about leaks to the media.


** Listen up
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The latest episode of “The Poynter Report Podcast” ([link removed]) is out today. I sat down with Poynter managing editor Ren LaForme and we talked about our exciting new project — The Poynter 50 ([link removed]) , a series looking back at 50 moments and people that shaped journalism over the past 50 years and had a lasting impact on its future.

But that’s not all, Ren and I also carved out some time in the pod to discuss some of the latest happenings in the media world, including the closing down of FiveThirtyEight, what’s going on with Jeff Bezos and The Washington Post, and Lester Holt stepping down as anchor of the “NBC Nightly News.”

Listen to “The Poynter Report Podcast” on Apple Podcasts ([link removed]) , Spotify ([link removed]) or Amazon Music ([link removed]) (and please don’t forget to leave us a rating and review).


** Wait, which is it?
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Howard Lutnick, the secretary of commerce, and President Donald Trump himself each went on different Sunday morning news shows and were basically asked the exact same question: Is the U.S. headed for a recession?

You would think they would give the exact same answer. They did not.

During an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” moderator Kristen Welker said to Lutnick, “Consumer sentiment is dropping. Inflation has ticked up. Major banks like JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs now say a recession in the next 12 months is becoming more likely. Should Americans brace for a recession?”

Lutnick told Welker, “Absolutely not. Anybody who bets against Donald Trump. … It’s like the same people who thought Donald Trump wasn’t a winner a year ago. Donald Trump is a winner. He’s going to win for the American people. That’s just the way it’s going to be. There’s going to be no recession in America.”

Lutnick went on to talk about tariffs before adding, “I would never bet on recession. No chance.”

But during an appearance on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” Trump was asked by host Maria Bartiromo, “Are you expecting a recession this year?”

Trump hedged, saying, “I hate to predict things like that. There is a period of transition, because what we’re doing is very big. We’re bringing wealth back to America. That’s a big thing. And there are always periods of … it takes a little time, it takes a little time.”

Regarding the economy, The New York Times’ Luke Broadwater, Colby Smith and Ana Swanson wrote ([link removed]) , “Economists have turned gloomier on the economic outlook amid Mr. Trump’s dizzying approach to tariffs, which has fueled considerable uncertainty and hamstrung businesses considering new investments and hiring. The concern is that the ongoing volatility chills this activity even further, intensifying an economic slowdown that is already underway.”


** On the move
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Political journalist Tara Palmeri is leaving the relatively new startup Puck to strike out on her own on YouTube. Palmeri tells The New York Times’ Jessica Testa ([link removed]) , “I don’t want you to go to this YouTube page and think, ‘I could have watched that on a cable channel.’”

Before Puck, Palmeri was at ABC News. She told Testa, “I’ve always felt like there’s never really been a place that I’ve been at home.”

Testa has much more on Palmeri and her move, including this passage: “With an initial grant from YouTube, Ms. Palmeri bought about $10,000 worth of equipment, and tested and hired editors. (She and YouTube both declined to disclose the size of the grant.) In return, she has committed to publishing about four videos per week.”

Here’s Palmeri’s announcement ([link removed]) on social media, and here’s her Substack signup page ([link removed]) .


** Semafor scoop
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The Semafor media newsletter had this intriguing scoop ([link removed]) Sunday night:

"The New York Times is making major changes to its opinion section, rethinking the frequency and design of its editorials, the makeup of its editorial board, and its policy on endorsements. Opinion editor Kathleen Kingsbury, deputy editor Patrick Healy, and publisher AG Sulzberger are contemplating having other editors in opinion getting more involved in the editorial board, and having fewer people on staff who solely write editorials. Publishing fewer, higher-quality editorials, the thesis goes, will lead to more audience attention."

The Times is also thinking about shaking up how it handles political endorsements, according to Semafor. It wrote, "Having pulled back from local endorsements, the paper is now considering whether it should weigh in on more races across the country, including the Virginia governor’s race and the New Jersey governor’s race, as well as the New York mayoral primaries and potentially the general election."


** Media tidbits
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Residents of the West Bank urban refugee camp of Nur Shams evacuate their homes and carry their belongings as the Israeli military continues its operation in the area on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)
* The Associated Press’ Majdi Mohammed talks about his photo: “An AP photographer sees the plight of Palestinians in one man carrying a refrigerator through the rubble.” ([link removed])
* The Washington Post’s Dana Milbank with “Trump is fast dismantling the free press. We all have to stop him.” ([link removed])
* From The New York Times and Clyde Haberman: “Selwyn Raab, Tenacious Reporter Who Covered the Mob, Dies at 90.” ([link removed])
* USA Today’s Jay Stahl with “Lara Trump plans to interview President Donald Trump, Democrats on new Fox show.” ([link removed]) Lara Trump interviewing Donald Trump? I’m guessing the interview won’t exactly remind anyone of Mike Wallace.
* Quick thought: Mike Myers returning to “Saturday Night Live” the past two weeks to impersonate Elon Musk has been pretty hilarious. Here’s ([link removed]) this past Saturday’s “SNL” cold open.


** Hot type
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* The New York Times’ Tyler Pager and Maggie Haberman with “The Populist vs. the Billionaire: Bannon, Musk and the Battle Within MAGA.” ([link removed])
* “CBS News Sunday Morning” and correspondent Tracy Smith profiled the comedian and writer in “John Mulaney on ‘Everybody's Live,’ sobriety and fatherhood.” ([link removed])
* The New York Times’ Anna Kodé with “A Hollywood Star With a Secret That Could Have Ended Her Career.” ([link removed])


** More resources for journalists
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* This Poynter Leadership Academy is our flagship workshop for experienced managers and leaders. Apply by March 24 ([link removed]) .
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* Elevate your editing expertise with the Poynter ACES Advanced Certificate. Enroll now ([link removed]) .
* Ditch work-life balance for a more sustainable approach. Sign up for this six-week email course ([link removed]) to discover the unique formula that helps you thrive.

Have feedback or a tip? Email Poynter senior media writer Tom Jones at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .
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