Department of War

Pete Hegseth, serving as Secretary of War, has signed a directive aimed at defending the 2026 United States elections from foreign threats. The move puts the defense department formally into election-security planning ahead of the midterms. Reaction so far is limited, with details of the directive's measures and how far the military's role will extend not yet publicly outlined.

The US Department of War has awarded RTX a $20.7 billion contract to accelerate production of the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). The deal is intended to expand manufacturing capacity and replenish stockpiles of the air-to-air missile, which is widely used by US and allied forces. The announcement underscores continued heavy US investment in munitions production.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has signed a directive aimed at defending the 2026 midterm elections from foreign threats. The announcement, published by the Department of War, is drawing attention in the United States and abroad, with the story trending in Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. Observers are weighing what role the Pentagon will play in election security and how the directive will be implemented ahead of the vote.