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Gen. Dan Caine confirms U.S. military will not deploy troops to polling places for 2026 midterm elections

Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated in a letter to Sen. Elissa Slotkin that the U.S. military has no plans to deploy federal military personnel or federalized members of the National Guard to polling places during the 2026 midterm elections. Caine clarified that the Joint Force does not intend to use these personnel to seize ballots, voting machines, or other election-related materials. This assurance comes as Democrats expressed concerns regarding the potential for the administration to use military force to interfere with the vote. The military's position follows a period of debate regarding the role of the armed forces in elections, particularly after President Trump expressed regret for not sending in the military to seize voting machines after his 2020 loss. Caine noted that election administration and security remain the fundamental responsibility of state and local officials. He further stated that he has neither received nor anticipates receiving any unlawful orders concerning the role of the Joint Force in the upcoming midterm elections.

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