Hegseth directs military cyber resources to election defense

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed military intelligence and cyber agencies to use available resources to defend U.S. election infrastructure against foreign threats during the 2026 midterm elections, according to a memo dated September 22 and announced publicly on September 28. The order focuses on cyber threats and intelligence support; the Defense Department has not indicated that military personnel will count ballots or operate polling places. The directive tasks defense intelligence officials with mobilizing resources and tells U.S. Cyber Command to use its existing authorities and capabilities against potential foreign cyberattacks. Officials have described the mission as countering foreign interference. No new funding was announced in the available reports, and details about staffing, specific operations and coordination with state and local election officials have not been released. The military’s election cybersecurity role is not new. Federal agencies have supported efforts to identify and deter threats since election equipment was designated critical infrastructure in 2017.