Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Repeats False Claim About Troops at 2024 Polling Places

In a stunning display of misinformation, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth twice told Congress that troops were deployed to polling places in 15 states during the 2024 midterm elections under President Joe Biden’s administration. The claim, made first at a House Armed Services Committee hearing and then repeated at a Senate hearing, is flatly false.

Hegseth’s assertion came in response to a question about whether he would follow an unlawful order from former President Trump to send troops to polling sites. He attempted to justify his position by falsely accusing the Biden administration of having already done exactly that.

But a thorough review by CNN reveals no evidence to back Hegseth’s claim. All National Guard activations related to the 2024 election were ordered by state governors, not the federal government. More importantly, none of the 12 states that responded to inquiries reported any Guard troops physically present at polling locations.

Instead, states like Iowa and Arizona confirmed their Guardsmen were engaged in behind-the-scenes roles, primarily cybersecurity support and internal coordination. Iowa’s National Guard, for example, operated solely from the state emergency operations center and never deployed personnel to any voting sites. Arizona’s Cyber Joint Task Force stood ready to assist with potential cyber incidents but was never called upon to act at polling places.

Even senior National Guard Bureau officials clarified that troops involved in election support were not in civil disturbance roles but focused on general support functions, especially cyber defense.

The falsehood is particularly notable given the sensitive nature of military involvement in elections. Federal law prohibits deploying troops to polling locations except under extreme circumstances to repel armed enemies. Hegseth’s baseless claim falsely suggests Biden’s administration violated this clear legal boundary.

This misinformation from a top defense official feeds into dangerous narratives about election interference and military overreach. It underscores the urgent need for accountability and fact-based discourse, especially from those entrusted with national security.

We will continue to monitor and expose false claims that undermine democratic processes and public trust.