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Exclusive: Hegseth directs Defense Dept. to fight foreigners who "meddle" in U.S. elections

axios.com · 4h · first reportShare

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has assigned personnel to use "advanced intelligence and cyber capabilities to identify, disrupt, and neutralize foreign interference" in the upcoming elections, Axios has learned. Why it matters: The threat of foreign election interference has been a biennial U.S. concern for the past decade. This effort will use the most advanced artificial intelligence capabilities to date, officials said. Hegseth's order does not direct military personnel to the polls, but President Trump has refused to rule out that possibility, heightening concern from Democrats and administration critics. Zoom in: Under a memo Hegseth authorized on Sept. 22 that has not been reported previously, the secretary pledged to fight foreign interference and uphold democratic freedoms. The memo has three related directives: Prioritize his department's "intelligence and cyber capabilities to ensure foreign actors do not meddle in our democratic systems" under U.S. Cyber Command and the Dire