Pentagon chief signs directive on protecting congressional elections from foreign threats

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has signed a directive to protect the upcoming November midterm elections to the American Congress from foreign threats, the Pentagon reports.

Under the directive, U.S. Cyber Command and the Pentagon's intelligence services are instructed to give top priority to cyber threats related to the elections. These efforts, in coordination with federal, government, and local structures, will focus on external manipulation and attempts to disrupt the elections by foreign actors, the document notes.

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

"Working in close cooperation with federal, government, and local partners, U.S. Cyber Command and the Defense Department's intelligence services will protect the integrity of American electoral systems, identify malicious foreign influence, and ensure the security of our democratic processes from external manipulation, while at the same time protecting the fundamental freedoms of the American people," he emphasized.

The commander of Cyber Command and concurrently director of the U.S. National Security Agency, General Joshua Rudd, said that the two organizations are already working together to identify cyber threats.

"The command and the agency regularly counter the actions of malicious foreign cybercriminals, including those who intend to interfere in our democratic process," Rudd said.

At the same time, the Pentagon's statement does not name specific foreign governments or groups suspected of possible attacks against the U.S. congressional midterm elections.

Source: Interfax