Pete Hegseth has ordered the Pentagon to deploy its intelligence and cyber capabilities against foreign threats to U.S. election systems ahead of the November midterm elections.
The directive, authorized in a memorandum dated September 22, calls for defence officials to identify, disrupt and counter foreign interference while working with the Department of Homeland Security.
The November midterms are scheduled for November 3, 2026, leaving election officials and federal agencies with only a short window to coordinate before voting is completed.
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What Pete Hegseth’s directive says
The memorandum directs U.S. Cyber Command and the directors of the military’s combat support agencies to prioritize intelligence and cyber capabilities that can protect democratic systems from foreign interference.
It also directs the Defense Intelligence Enterprise to collect and produce information about foreign threats to U.S. elections in accordance with existing law, regulations and executive direction.
A third element calls for joint operations between U.S. Cyber Command and the Department of Homeland Security to counter potential cyberattacks by foreign actors.
The order is focused on foreign threats to election infrastructure rather than the administration of polling places.
It does not instruct the National Guard or other military personnel to seize voting machines, and it does not put uniformed troops inside polling stations.
Why the Pentagon is involved
U.S. election systems were designated critical infrastructure in 2017, creating a framework for federal agencies to help state and local authorities defend voting-related networks.
The National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command have since supported efforts to detect malicious activity, share threat intelligence and deter foreign hackers.
Those responsibilities generally involve protecting networks and identifying hostile activity rather than managing ballots or directing how elections are administered.
The Pentagon says the latest instruction builds on capabilities that are already part of its regular mission to defend the United States against foreign cyber actors.
The directive also reflects the growing use of artificial intelligence, cyber tools and intelligence collection in efforts to identify threats before they affect election systems.
How the order fits into the 2026 election preparations
The Pentagon’s announcement comes as federal agencies increase election-related monitoring before the midterms.
The Justice Department has separately announced election monitoring and enforcement initiatives, including work involving voting rights, election fraud investigations and compliance with federal election laws.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has also issued guidance for election officials outlining possible threats to election infrastructure and available security assistance.
State and local governments remain responsible for conducting elections, maintaining voter lists, operating polling places and counting ballots.
Federal agencies can provide technical assistance and threat information, but the new memorandum does not transfer control of election administration from states to the Pentagon.
Concerns about military involvement
The expanded role for defence and intelligence agencies is likely to attract scrutiny because of political disputes over election security and federal authority.
Cybersecurity support for election officials has traditionally been described as a defensive mission, but intelligence operations can involve sensitive information about foreign governments, communications networks and suspected cyber activity.
That makes legal limits, oversight and clear coordination with civilian election authorities important to the credibility of the effort.
The memorandum states that intelligence collection and cyber operations must follow applicable law, regulations and executive direction.
Administration officials have described the initiative as a response to foreign interference risks, while critics are expected to question how the military’s tools will be used and what safeguards will apply.
What happens next
U.S. Cyber Command, defence intelligence agencies and Homeland Security officials are expected to coordinate threat assessments and defensive operations as the election approaches.
The immediate focus will be on identifying foreign attempts to compromise election networks, spread malicious cyber activity or intimidate election officials through digital operations.
Officials will also need to determine how warnings are shared with state and local election offices without exposing sensitive intelligence sources or creating confusion during voting.
For voters, the order does not change where or how ballots are cast.
Its practical effect will be felt mainly by election officials, government cybersecurity teams and federal agencies responsible for defending the networks that support registration, voting and reporting systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Pete Hegseth order the Pentagon to do?
He directed defence intelligence and cyber agencies to identify and counter foreign threats targeting U.S. election systems before the 2026 midterms.
Will U.S. troops be sent to polling stations?
No. The memorandum does not direct the National Guard or other military personnel to work inside polling places.
Will the Pentagon control U.S. elections?
No. States and local authorities remain responsible for voter registration, polling operations, ballot counting and election administration.
Which agencies will work on the election security effort?
The directive involves U.S. Cyber Command, the Defense Intelligence Enterprise and the Department of Homeland Security.
When are the 2026 U.S. midterm elections?
Election Day is scheduled for November 3, 2026, although early voting and mail voting dates vary by state.
Fact-Checked: Key details were checked against official U.S. government election-security, defence and executive-action information, along with current reporting on the September 22 memorandum.
Disclaimer: The memorandum concerns cybersecurity and foreign-interference threats and does not change voter eligibility, polling procedures or ballot-counting rules.