Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth says the Pentagon is taking new steps to protect the 2026 elections from foreign interference. Hegseth has ordered officials to coordinate with other federal agencies to counter threats to the voting process.
In a memorandum, Hegseth outlines what the department described as a “comprehensive, whole-of-government defense” of the 2026 elections.
The directive focuses on foreign nations that may attempt to interfere with the election through cyberattacks, influence operations and other activities intended to undermine confidence in the electoral process.
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“Free and fair elections are the foundation of our republic,” Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said. “By working in lockstep with federal, state, and local partners, U.S. Cyber Command and our defense intelligence teams will defend the integrity of America’s voting systems, expose foreign malign influence, and ensure our democratic processes remain secure from external manipulation while protecting the fundamental freedoms of the American people.”
The announcement said these efforts will include working with federal partners to identify and respond to foreign threats. The department did not indicate that the military will take over responsibilities traditionally handled by state and local election officials.
Foreign interference has been a recurring concern for U.S. election officials and intelligence agencies. For example, the 2016 presidential election prompted extensive federal investigations into Russian efforts to interfere.
“U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency are closely partnered to identify and defend against cyber threats to our nation,” said Gen. Joshua M. Rudd, commander of U.S. Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency and CSS chief. “The Command and the Agency regularly counter actions by malicious foreign cyber actors including those with the intent to interfere with our democratic process.”
The Trump administration has faced legal challenges over executive actions affecting federal involvement in elections, including a March executive order attempting to require states to provide lists of eligible voters. The president has also repeatedly pushed back on mail-in voting despite using it himself.
This new directive also comes shortly after Hegseth encouraged military members and their families to register and vote in the upcoming elections. He said an analysis of the 2024 election found roughly 300,000 military personnel were not registered to vote, and urged service members, spouses and eligible family members to use the Federal Voting Assistance Program to register and request ballots.
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