In a decisive move to protect the integrity of the upcoming November 3 midterm elections, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters Monday that the National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. Cyber Command will deploy their full cyber‑defense capabilities to monitor and defend election infrastructure across the nation.
Federal cyber forces step in as election day approaches
Since 2017, when election equipment was formally designated as “critical infrastructure,” military cyber experts have routinely assisted state and local officials in detecting and deterring hostile actors. Hegseth’s latest directive expands that partnership, ordering 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,” according to a memo dated Sept. 22.
The announcement comes amid heightened public concern about election security. While the administration has faced criticism for dismantling the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) earlier this year, the decision to enlist the NSA and Cyber Command underscores a continued federal commitment to safeguarding the vote.
Critics question the timing and strategy
David Becker, a former Justice Department attorney who now leads the nonprofit Center for Election Innovation & Research, called the timing “just theater,” noting that the dismantling of CISA removed a dedicated civilian agency that had been tasked with protecting election systems. “If the administration was serious about assisting state and local election officials, they shouldn’t have dismantled all of the federal government’s election cybersecurity capacity and fired all their experts in early 2025,” Becker said.
Nevertheless, many election‑security experts point out that the NSA and Cyber Command have long provided essential technical support during election cycles. Their involvement is routine and has historically helped deter foreign interference without infringing on state authority.
Administration’s stance on election integrity
President Trump has repeatedly asserted that the election system is vulnerable to fraud, a claim that has been repeatedly debunked by independent audits and courts. While the Supreme Court recently blocked an effort by the president to restrict mail voting, it allowed the use of a federal database to verify voter citizenship, reflecting a balanced approach that protects both security and voter access.
Hegseth emphasized that the federal cyber effort will operate in coordination with state and local officials, respecting the Constitution’s allocation of election administration to the states while providing the technical expertise needed to counter sophisticated foreign threats.
What this means for voters
For the average voter, the deployment of NSA and Cyber Command resources means an added layer of protection against hacking attempts, misinformation campaigns, and other forms of foreign meddling. The administration’s proactive stance aims to ensure that every lawful voter can cast a ballot without fear of intimidation or cyber‑based disruption.
As early voting continues across the country, election officials are encouraged to work closely with the newly mobilized federal cyber teams. The collaboration is intended to be transparent, with regular briefings to state partners and the public about the security measures in place.
Associated Press writer Nicholas Riccardi in Denver contributed to this report.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
