Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT

Hegseth Orders Pentagon Cyber Forces to Guard Midterm Elections


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

The directive instructs US Cyber Command and the department's combat support agencies to prioritize intelligence and cyber tools for identifying, disrupting and countering foreign interference in American 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, who commands US Cyber Command and directs the National Security Agency, said the two organizations are closely partnered to identify and defend against cyber threats targeting the United States.

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