War Secretary Pete Hegseth has rolled out an October voting order as President Trump and the GOP scramble for every possible advantage before the November midterms. The move directs military leaders to create dedicated time for service members to cast ballots in the Nov. 3 elections.

Hegseth announced the order Friday in a video lasting about two and a half minutes. He said “commanders and supervisors at every level” within the Pentagon must allot a one day pause in October so military personnel have an opportunity to vote.

“How about we make sure those who serve our country have every single opportunity to vote?” Hegseth said. “Makes sense to me.”

The directive places military voting access squarely on the Pentagon’s October calendar. Hegseth presented the order as an effort to simplify a process that can be difficult for service members living outside their home states.

“Under the leadership of President Trump, we’re upholding things that are central to the defense of our republic and our American way of life, and we’re doing this because in the past, voting for our men and women in uniform has been time-consuming and complex, as many warriors reside outside of their home state for obvious reasons.”

The announcement arrives as Trump and the GOP seek any advantage they can find before the midterms. Intense voter backlash against Trump in November could cause Republicans to lose control of both the House and the Senate.

Such losses could create serious consequences for the administration during the final two years of Trump’s presidency. Trump and Hegseth are among the administration figures who could face impeachment attempts from Democrats if the party wins control of Congress.

Hegseth was careful to say the administration is not directing military members toward a particular candidate. He emphasized that the decision belongs to each voter after the Pentagon provides time for personnel to participate.

“It’s then up to you to exercise your right as an American to choose your elected leaders. Voting is the way our Founding Fathers envisioned every citizen’s ability to participate in government,” Hegseth added.

“We’re going to take the time to ensure that you can vote and that your voice is heard.”

A Rasmussen Reports survey released in March offered a revealing political data point. It found that 57% of likely U.S. military voters would support the Republican candidate in the midterms, while 35% said they would back a Democratic candidate.

Hegseth also appealed last month to service members and their families who are not registered to vote. He said roughly 300,000 people in those groups remained unregistered as the midterms approached.

“That’s more than the ballots cast in cities like Detroit, Boston, Milwaukee, or Seattle,” he said.

Hegseth linked that registration push to the department’s stated role in protecting American freedoms. He also invoked General George Washington and the crossing of the Delaware River while urging military personnel and their families to participate in the election.

“As you know, the War Department exists to protect our nation and her freedoms. That includes the freedom to decide who leads us and the right to vote,” Hegseth continued.

“It’s why General George Washington crossed the Delaware River 250 years ago: for our right to determine our own American destiny.”

The order gives service members an October opportunity to handle voting before the Nov. 3 election, while Hegseth insists the administration is not telling them whom to support. At the same time, it lands as Trump and Republicans brace for a potentially punishing midterm backlash.

With control of both congressional chambers potentially at stake, the GOP is trying to collect votes wherever it can. Hegseth’s Pentagon directive now adds military participation to that urgent electoral push, wrapped in lofty language about freedom, national service, and making every voice heard.