Slotkin Demands Generals Keep Military Out of Midterms
Senator Asks Pentagon to Promise: No Troops at Polling Places This November
What’s Happening?
Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin has sent official letters to two top military leaders asking for a simple but important promise: the U.S. military will not send troops to polling places or seize election materials during the November midterm elections.
Important Point: This isn’t just a casual request—it’s a formal congressional inquiry that requires an official response from the Pentagon.
Why Is She Asking Now?
Senator Slotkin and other Democrats are worried because of several recent events that suggest the Trump administration might consider using the military in elections:
Recent Concerning Actions
- 2020: After losing the election, Trump reportedly considered using the military to seize voting machines
- 2023-2024: Trump deployed National Guard troops to cities against the wishes of local Democratic leaders
- 2025: Active-duty Marines were sent to Los Angeles during an immigration crackdown
- August 2026: The Department of Justice sent federal election monitors to three Michigan cities (East Lansing, Detroit, and Lansing) during the primary
What Does the Law Actually Say?
Key Legal Fact: Federal law already prohibits armed federal forces from being deployed to election locations—unless it’s "necessary to repel armed enemies of the United States."
If any military personnel were involved in election security, it would likely be the National Guard under state control (not federal control).
Senator Slotkin’s Solution: The Protect Our Polls Act
In June 2026, Slotkin introduced a bill to make the rules even clearer and stricter:
What the Bill Would Do
- Further restrict deployment of military personnel and federal agents at polling locations
- Require Congress to pass a Joint Resolution of Approval before any president could send troops to polling places
- Create an extra layer of democratic oversight for election security
What Happened When She Asked Before?
This isn’t the first time Slotkin has raised this issue:
April 2026 Congressional Hearing
- Slotkin asked Defense Secretary Hegseth directly: Would you follow orders to seize ballots?
- Hegseth called it a "gotcha hypothetical" but said: "I’ve never been ordered to do anything illegal, and I won’t."
2020 Precedent
When Slotkin (then a Congresswoman) sent a similar letter in 2020, General Mark Milley (then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs) responded:
"I believe deeply in the principle of an apolitical U.S. military. In the event of a dispute over some aspect of the elections, by law U.S. courts and the U.S. Congress are required to resolve any disputes, not the U.S. military."
The White House Response
Susie Wiles (White House Chief of Staff) denied the concerns in a 2025 interview:
"I say it is categorically false, will not happen. It’s just wrongheaded."
Why This Matters: The Big Picture
Senator Slotkin explains her concern simply:
"He’s very clearly laying the breadcrumbs to be able to say the day after the election that he didn’t really lose the House or he didn’t really lose the Senate."
In other words—she worries the administration is setting up a narrative to challenge legitimate election results before voting even happens.
Summary
| Who | What | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Sen. Elissa Slotkin (MI) | Sent formal letters to Defense Sec. Hegseth & Gen. Caine | Asking for written confirmation: no troops at polls |
| Protect Our Polls Act | Bill requiring Congressional approval for troop deployment at polls | Adds democratic check on executive power |
| Current Law | Already bans armed federal forces at polls (with narrow exception) | Legal framework exists but could be strengthened |
| Historical Precedent | Gen. Milley (2020) affirmed military stays out of elections | Shows bipartisan military commitment to staying apolitical |
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Can the President legally send troops to polling places?
No—federal law explicitly prohibits it unless there’s an armed invasion or insurrection. The Protect Our Polls Act would add an extra requirement: Congressional approval.
What’s the difference between the National Guard and active-duty military?
- National Guard: Usually under state governor’s control (unless federalized)
- Active-duty military: Under federal/President’s control
- Only the National Guard (state-controlled) could legally assist at polls—and only if the governor requests it
Has the military ever been used at polling places before?
Extremely rarely. In modern U.S. history, the military has deliberately stayed out of domestic election administration. The 2020 Milley letter reaffirmed this long-standing principle.
What are "election monitors" and are they the same as troops?
No. The DOJ sends civilian attorneys and staff to observe elections for voting rights compliance (like the August 2026 Michigan visits). They’re unarmed civilians, not military personnel.
What happens if the Pentagon doesn’t respond to Slotkin’s letter?
Congressional correspondence requires an official response. If they don’t reply, Slotkin can escalate through hearings, subpoenas, or legislation—all tools Congress has to oversee the executive branch.
Bottom Line: This is about protecting a core democratic norm—that in America, civilians run elections, not the military. Senator Slotkin is trying to get that promise in writing before November, not after.