Hegseth orders cyber, intelligence agencies to prioritize election defense
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during the department's 2026 National POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony on the Pentagon River Terrace Parade Field on September 18, 2026. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
ByDavid DiMolfetta,
Cybersecurity Reporter, Nextgov/FCW
September 28, 2026 06:15 PM ET
The directive comes as the administration has dismantled or reorganized offices that tracked foreign influence and reduced civilian election security support.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed U.S. Cyber Command and military intelligence agencies to prioritize countering foreign threats to the upcoming elections, ordering intelligence collection and coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.
The Sept. 22 memorandum was released publicly Monday and instructs the defense intelligence enterprise to gather and analyze information on foreign election threats. It separately directs Cyber Command to use its existing authorities and capabilities to counter potential cyberattacks by foreign actors targeting the elections.
“I am therefore directing the entire [Defense...
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