Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine informed Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) in a letter that the military has no plans to deploy federal troops to polling places during the 2026 midterm elections. The letter addressed Slotkin’s request for confirmation that the Department of Defense would not send troops to polls or seize election materials.
In the letter, Caine stated that election administration and security are the responsibility of state and local officials. He specified that the Joint Force does not plan to send federal military personnel or federalized National Guard members to polling sites. Caine further stated he has not received, and does not expect to receive, any unlawful orders regarding the military's role in the November 2026 elections.
Slotkin, who serves on the Armed Services and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committees, had written to Caine and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after President Trump commented on the possibility of a national security emergency to nationalize the midterms. Caine’s letter indicates such a scenario is not currently being planned for by the Joint Force.
The letter specifically states the Joint Force has no plans to seize ballots, voting machines, or other election-related materials. Gen. Caine also noted his readiness to discuss the matter further with other members of the Senate. The response comes amid other leadership changes at the Pentagon, including the resignation of Army Secretary Driscoll following a reported turf war with Secretary Hegseth.