Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivers remarks to junior officers and enlisted leaders during a State of the Force address at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., on Sept. 30, 2026. (Eric Brann/Department of Defense)
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a one-day stand-down for service members to mail in ballots or vote in person in the upcoming elections.
“We’re not telling you who to vote for, but we will give you every opportunity to do so,” Hegseth said in a video posted on X Friday. “You are the best citizens of our country, and therefore you should have every opportunity to exercise your right to vote.”
The stand-down will be conducted no later than Oct. 15 and will happen every election year, the secretary added.
In a Sept. 22 memo, Hegseth directed U.S. Cyber Command and other intelligence personnel to mobilize “every authorized asset” to defend the November midterm elections from foreign interference, according to a memo released to the public Monday.
“In America, the people rule — and we must ensure that their voice remains sovereign, secure and entirely undiluted,” Hegseth wrote.
Last week, the secretary posted a video on X urging service members to become registered voters.
Hegseth, a 46-year-old Army National Guard veteran and former Fox News host, has been involved in the political arena more than past Pentagon leaders, including participating in campaigns for political candidates. He is facing an ethics complaint filed by a group of former national security officials who are questioning whether an August fundraising appearance with an Iowa representative violated the Hatch Act.
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