US defense secretary directs Pentagon to defend midterm elections from 'foreign threats'

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum directing the Department of Defense to mobilize its cyber and intelligence capabilities to protect US election infrastructure from "foreign threats" ahead of the midterm elections, the Pentagon said Monday.

The directive calls on US Cyber Command and the department’s combat support agencies to prioritize intelligence and cyber capabilities aimed at identifying, disrupting and countering foreign interference in US democratic processes.

"Free and fair elections are the foundation of our republic," chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement.

"By working in lockstep with federal, state and local partners, U.S. Cyber Command and our defense intelligence teams will defend the integrity of America's voting systems, expose foreign malign influence, and ensure our democratic processes remain secure from external manipulation while protecting the fundamental freedoms of the American people."

Gen. Joshua M. Rudd, commander of US Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency, said the two organizations are closely partnered to identify and defend against cyber threats targeting the US.