Fact Check: Did Biden deploy troops to polling stations in 2024, as claimed by Pete Hegseth?

WASHINGTON, DC: During testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee on President Donald Trump’s FY2027 Department of Defense budget request on Capitol Hill, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed that former President Joe Biden had deployed troops to polling stations.

Here’s a closer look at the claim and the facts behind it.

Claim: Pete Hegseth alleges Biden deployed troops to polling sites

While appearing before the House Armed Services Committee, Democratic Representative Jill Tokuda asked Pete Hegseth whether he would comply with an order from Trump to send troops to polling locations, an action that would violate federal law unless tied to an armed threat.

Hegseth dismissed the suggestion that Trump would issue unlawful orders. However, moments later, he stated:

“Back in 2024, troops were deployed to polling locations in 15 states, that was under Joe Biden.” He reiterated the claim, again asserting that troops had been sent to polling sites across multiple states in 2024, but did not identify which states he was referring to.

Fact check: No evidence Biden ordered troops to polling locations

There is no evidence supporting Hegseth’s claim. National Guard activations related to the 2024 election were authorised by state governors, not by the White House or Biden.

Officials from multiple states confirmed that no troops were stationed at polling locations. Instead, National Guard personnel were assigned to limited roles such as cybersecurity monitoring or remained on standby.

An Iowa National Guard spokesperson explained that their role during elections is strictly behind the scenes, focused on cybersecurity support, and that personnel do not leave their operations center.

The spokesperson added that Guard members have never been deployed to polling stations for election duties.

Similarly, an Arizona National Guard representative stated that no personnel were sent to polling sites in 2024. A small number of cyber specialists were placed on standby to respond to potential threats, but no incidents required their involvement.

Reports indicate that at least a dozen states confirmed no troop presence at polling stations, while no credible evidence emerged from the remaining states.

The available evidence shows that Hegseth’s claim is inaccurate. Election-related National Guard activities in 2024 were managed at the state level and did not involve deploying troops to polling locations.