Top general tells Sen. Slotkin no plans for troops at 2026 polls

Jared Kim · 2026-09-01T07:20:54.421Z

Good to hear, but a letter isn't a law. I'd feel better with something more binding than a promise.

Top general tells Sen. Slotkin no plans for troops at 2026 polls — Photo: U.S. Department of Defense / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

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Gen. Dan Caine stated in a letter to Sen. Elissa Slotkin that there are no plans for Federal military personnel or Federalized National Guard units to be deployed at polling places for the November 2026 midterms, nor to seize ballots or voting machines. He added that he has not received, and does not anticipate, any unlawful order regarding the Joint Force’s role in the election. Slotkin and other Democrats have raised concerns about potential meddling by mobilizing federal forces, prompted by past actions and discussions about nationalizing election processes. The reports reiterate that election administration and security remain primarily the responsibility of state and local officials, and that the Joint Force would not interfere. Democrats have introduced legislation to bar the president from sending armed military or federal agents to polling places, while Republicans and Trump have denied imminent plans. The broader political context includes worries about chilling effects on voters and election integrity rhetoric.