Ben Finley, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Gen. Dan Caine, the highest-ranking officer in the U.S. military, stated there are no plans to send troops to polling places during the November midterm congressional elections. This announcement addresses concerns among Democrats regarding potential military interference in the voting process.
In a letter to Michigan Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin, Caine confirmed that the Joint Force has no plans to deploy federal military personnel or federalized members of the National Guard to polling locations during the 2026 elections. He also stated that there are no plans to use military personnel to seize ballots, voting machines, or other election-related materials.
Caine, who advises Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump on military matters, added, "I have neither received nor anticipate receiving any unlawful order concerning the role of the Joint Force in the upcoming November 2026 midterm elections."
Concerns among Democrats have increased regarding the Trump administration's potential for meddling in the elections, especially following instances where federal agents were deployed in Democratic-led states against local leaders' wishes. Slotkin expressed worries that Trump has been preparing to claim the elections were stolen, referencing past actions where Trump considered using the military to seize voting machines after his 2020 loss. Additionally, he deployed the National Guard to cities despite opposition from Democratic leaders and sent active-duty Marines to Los Angeles during an immigration crackdown in 2025.
Federal law prohibits the deployment of armed federal forces to election locations unless necessary to repel armed enemies of the United States. If military involvement were to occur, it would likely be through the National Guard under state control.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles denied in a Vanity Fair interview last year that Trump would use the military to suppress voting in the midterms.
Sonja Thrasher, Slotkin's press secretary, noted that Hegseth has not yet responded to Slotkin's request for confirmation that troops will not be deployed to the polls in November, with a response initially requested by last Thursday. The Pentagon has not yet provided an update on Hegseth's response to Slotkin's inquiry.
During an April congressional hearing, Slotkin asked Hegseth if he would follow orders to seize ballots. Hegseth described the question as a "gotcha hypothetical," but stated, "I've never been ordered to do anything illegal, and I won't."
In 2020, Gen. Mark Milley, then-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addressed a similar letter from Slotkin, emphasizing the principle of an apolitical U.S. military. He stated that in the event of a dispute over elections, U.S. courts and Congress are responsible for resolving such disputes, not the military.