Senators Express Concerns Over Pentagon Briefing on Defense Strategy

WHO:

Alternet - Republican lawmakers, including Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Jim Banks (R-IN).

PBS - Defense Undersecretary Elbridge Colby, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

WHAT:

Alternet - Senators expressed dissatisfaction with a classified briefing on the Trump administration's National Defense Strategy, describing it as "frustratingly opaque."

PBS - Colby failed to provide an expected update on the National Defense Strategy during the briefing.

PBS - Colby acknowledged discussions about deploying the National Guard for voter security on Election Day.

PBS - Colby was required to provide the Senate Armed Services Committee with a classified briefing on the National Defense Strategy no later than September 15.

PBS - Gen. Caine stated there are "no plans to send Federal military personnel or Federalized members of the National Guard to polling places during the 2026 elections."

WHERE:

Alternet - The briefing took place in Washington, D.C.

WHEN:

PBS - The classified briefing was expected to occur no later than September 15.

PBS - The 2026 elections are referenced as a future event.

WHY:

Alternet - Lawmakers were concerned about the lack of information regarding military priorities and the potential deployment of troops to polling places.

HOW:

Alternet - Senators described the briefing as "just sort of dodge and punt," indicating a lack of direct answers from Colby.

(UPDATED September 18, 2026 20:04 UTC)

Republican lawmakers, including Senators Kevin Cramer, Mike Rounds, and Jim Banks, expressed frustration during a classified briefing in Washington, D.C., regarding the Trump administration's National Defense Strategy, which they found to be "frustratingly opaque." Defense Undersecretary Elbridge Colby failed to provide the expected update and acknowledged discussions about deploying the National Guard for voter security on Election Day, although General Dan Caine confirmed there are "no plans to send Federal military personnel or Federalized members of the National Guard to polling places during the 2026 elections." Lawmakers voiced concerns over the lack of information on military priorities and criticized the briefing as "just sort of dodge and punt," indicating dissatisfaction with the responses they received.