Exclusive: Hegseth directs Defense Dept. to fight foreigners who "meddle" in U.S. elections
Summary
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has instructed the Defense Department to use advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, to stop foreign countries from interfering in the upcoming U.S. elections. This effort focuses on cyber and intelligence operations but does not involve military personnel at voting sites.Key Facts
- Hegseth issued a memo on September 22 ordering the use of cyber and intelligence tools to protect U.S. elections from foreign interference.
- The Defense Department will work with U.S. Cyber Command and the Department of Homeland Security to detect and block foreign cyber threats targeting elections.
- This directive is based on President Trump’s 2025 executive order to protect election integrity.
- Hegseth’s memo does not authorize military personnel to be sent to polling places.
- Similar efforts were made under President Biden before the 2022 midterm elections.
- The federal government has increased its role in election security since 2017 when elections were classified as critical infrastructure.
- Despite this program, President Trump has previously cut budgets and delayed staffing for election security agencies.
- There have been past actions involving federal officials investigating voter fraud and seizing voting machines, but the new memo does not include such steps.
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