Democracy & Elections Executive Branch

Lawfare Daily: The Military, Elections, and the Law

Natalie K. Orpett, Molly Roberts, Loren Voss, Benjamin Wittes, Jen Patja
Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 7:00 AM

Discussing the laws that prevent domestic deployment during elections.

Meet The Authors
Subscribe to Lawfare

Editor in Chief Benjamin Wittes talks with Executive Editor Natalie Orpett and Senior Editors Loren Voss and Molly Roberts about the limits the Constitution and statutes put on the use of military in U.S. elections—as well as the arguments an eager executive might make to skirt those restrictions. They discuss how the history of domestic deployment law shows that legislators have long believed voting deserves special protection from military involvement. They also explain why, ahead of the 2026 midterms, that isn't as reassuring as it might sound.

To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.

Topics:
Democracy & Elections Executive Branch
Back to Top
Natalie K. Orpett

Natalie K. Orpett

nkorpett
nkorpett.bsky.social
Read More
Natalie Orpett is the executive editor of Lawfare and deputy general counsel of the Lawfare Institute. She was previously an attorney at the law firm Jenner & Block, where she focused on investigations and government controversies, and also maintained an active pro bono practice. She served as civilian counsel to a defendant in the Guantanamo Military Commissions for more than eight years.
Molly Roberts

Molly Roberts

Read More
Molly Roberts is a senior editor at Lawfare. She was previously a member of the editorial board at The Washington Post, where she covered technology, legal affairs and more, as well as wrote columns about everything from cryptocurrency grift and graft to panda diplomacy at the National Zoo.
Loren Voss

Loren Voss

lorenmvoss
lorenvoss.bsky.social
Read More
Loren Voss ia a senior editor at Lawfare. She most recently served as Director for Defense Policy and Strategy at the National Security Council. She chairs the Lieber Society on the Law of Armed Conflict at the American Society of International Law and previously served as a Senior Advisor for the Department of Defense and taught classes on domestic deployment of the military and disinformation at GW Law. Loren previously served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force.
Benjamin Wittes

Benjamin Wittes

benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org
Read More
Benjamin Wittes is editor in chief of Lawfare and a Senior Fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution. He is the author of several books.
Jen Patja

Jen Patja

Read More
Jen Patja is the editor of the Lawfare Podcast and Rational Security, and serves as Lawfare’s Director of Audience Engagement. Previously, she was Co-Executive Director of Virginia Civics and Deputy Director of the Center for the Constitution at James Madison's Montpelier, where she worked to deepen public understanding of constitutional democracy and inspire meaningful civic participation.
}

More Articles 

Subscribe to Lawfare