Pentagon Moves to Shield 2026 Midterm Elections from Cyber Threats

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the Pentagon to make “advanced intelligence and cyber capabilities” the top priority for detecting, disrupting, and neutralizing foreign actors seeking to influence the 2026 midterm elections. The instruction, issued in a September memo that was released earlier this week, tasks U.S. Cyber Command and the combat support agencies with leveraging Department of War intelligence to protect democratic processes. Hegseth also ordered the Defense Intelligence Enterprise to collect and produce intelligence on foreign election threats in line with existing law, regulations, and executive guidance. General Joshua Rudd, commander of U.S. Cyber Command, was specifically tasked with coordinating these efforts with the Department of Homeland Security.

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Concerns about foreign interference in U.S. elections have persisted across administrations. A similar initiative was launched in 2022 under the Biden administration, when the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command emphasized safeguarding that year’s midterms. The current directive builds on that precedent, extending the focus to the upcoming 2026 election cycle.

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In the memo, Hegseth emphasized that “our Nation’s ability to conduct free and fair elections is a steadfast principal of our Democracy” and framed the mission as “no-fail.” He framed the effort as a whole-of-government responsibility, linking the Department of War’s role to broader interagency coordination. General Rudd echoed the secretary’s stance, noting that U.S. Cyber Command and the NSA are already partnered to identify and counter malicious foreign cyber actors, and that the command will continue to protect the nation’s electoral infrastructure.

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• “Commander U.S. Cyber Command and the Directors of the Combat Support Agencies will prioritize the use of DoW [Department of War] intelligence and cyber capabilities to ensure foreign actors do not meddle in our democratic systems,” — Hegseth

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• “Our Nation’s ability to conduct free and fair elections is a steadfast principal of our Democracy,” — Hegseth

The Hill