Hegseth Deploys NSA, Cyber Command to Guard Midterm Election Systems

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Monday that the National Security Agency and other military intelligence and cybersecurity units will help safeguard US election systems during the November midterms.

A memo dated Sept. 22, made public Monday, instructs defense intelligence officials to use every available resource "to defend our election infrastructure from foreign malign influence and ensure that every lawful voter can cast their ballot free from foreign intimidation, coercion, or fear."

Military cyber specialists have routinely assisted with monitoring election systems and deterring potential intruders since voting equipment was classified as critical infrastructure in 2017. The latest move, however, follows President Donald Trump's dismantling of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Department of Homeland Security division established specifically to protect election infrastructure.

That civilian agency released its own election security plan last week, outlining potential threats and the services it would provide to local election officials.

Both developments arrive with early voting already under way and Election Day set for Nov. 3. David Becker, a former Justice Department attorney who heads the nonprofit Center for Election Innovation & Research, questioned the timing. He said the compressed schedule "suggests this is just theater," arguing that a serious effort would not have followed the removal of federal election cybersecurity staff and expertise earlier in 2025.

While NSA and Cyber Command support is standard practice, election experts, civil rights organizations and Democratic election officials remain watchful for any interference in voting or ballot counting. Trump continues to promote unsubstantiated claims of widespread election fraud and has sought to alter long-standing procedures. The Supreme Court has blocked his attempt to limit mail voting but has permitted the use of a federal database to verify voters' citizenship.