Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine wrote that the military has no plans to send federal troops or federalized National Guard members to polling places for the 2026 midterms. He said there are also no plans to use troops to seize ballots, voting machines or other election material. Caine advises the president; federal law says his job carries no command authority, so the letter states a plan rather than a guarantee. Federal law already bars troops from election sites unless they are needed to repel armed enemies of the United States. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, asked the same questions, had not answered by Sen. Elissa Slotkin's Aug. 28 deadline.
What we’re less sure of2 of 6 claims
Medium
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was asked the same questions and had not answered as of the story's publication.
Nonresponse is reported by PBS NewsHour/AP and echoed by the wire copy, but it is an absence of action confirmed at one point in time and could change after publication.
Medium
Sen. Elissa Slotkin set an August 28, 2026 deadline for responses to her questions.
The date and deadline come through the news reports rather than a posted letter; Slotkin's own listed release covers the MERIT Act, not this inquiry.