Senators from both parties voice criticism about Pentagon briefing on US
defense strategy
[September 18, 2026]
By LISA MASCARO and BEN FINLEY
WASHINGTON (AP) — Tensions are mounting between the Pentagon and
Congress over the flow of information to lawmakers about the U.S.
military's priorities, with both Democrats and Republicans accusing a
Defense Department leader of being frustratingly opaque.
Some senators from both parties say they were left deeply unsettled
Thursday after the Pentagon's top policy adviser, Defense Undersecretary
Elbridge Colby, failed to provide an expected update on the Trump
administration's National Defense Strategy at a classified briefing.
The lawmakers also say they were unsatisfied with Colby's answers to
questions ranging from inquiries about the Iran war to growing concerns
that President Donald Trump could deploy troops to polling places during
November's midterm congressional elections. Colby acknowledged that
discussions about deploying the National Guard were taking place.
Sen. Jacky Rosen, a Nevada Democrat on the Senate Armed Services
Committee, said Colby “was not forthcoming” and “did not really address
our concerns or issues.”
Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican also on the committee,
described the classified briefing as “just sort of dodge and punt.”
“It’s very peculiar to have somebody come in for a congressionally
mandated update and not have a statement,” Cramer said.
Colby, who has supporters and detractors on Capitol Hill, was expected
to provide a required briefing on the National Defense Strategy, a
comprehensive document that provides guidance for the military. Released
in January, the blueprint reinforces Trump’s “America First” philosophy
of favoring nonintervention overseas and questioning decades of
strategic relationships with allies in Europe.
Under the annual National Defense Authorization Act approved by
Congress, he was required to provide the Senate Armed Services Committee
with the classified briefing on implementation of the strategy no later
than Sept. 15.
“It was not what we had expected,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, a South Dakota
Republican on the committee.
“Let’s just put it that way,” he said. “They owe us a report, and we did
not get the report.”
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Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona said he was able to ask about
the strategy for the Iran war in Iran and the decision-making that
has left the U.S. with what he described as a “munitions deficit.”
Experts say military contractors will need about three years to
replenish stockpiles of certain advanced weapons, such as defensive
missile interceptors.
“You walk out with more questions than when you went in, and for me,
that was the case today,” Kelly said.
At one point, Colby was asked directly if he ever had any
discussions about deploying the National Guard for voter security on
Election Day. He told senators that he had heard about some of those
discussions taking place but that he wasn’t leading on the issue.
“Never once said ‘yes’ or ‘no,’” Cramer said.
The idea of deploying troops has been gaining attention as the
midterms draw closer. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., recently pressed
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff, to confirm that they won’t send troops to
polling places.
Caine responded to Slotkin in a letter last month that said there
are “no plans to send Federal military personnel or Federalized
members of the National Guard to polling places during the 2026
elections.”
Colby did not receive criticism from all lawmakers who attended
Thursday's briefing.
Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., called it a “constructive, substantive”
briefing that “answered all my questions.”
Asked if he was satisfied with the briefing, Sen. Roger Wicker, a
Mississippi Republican who is chairman of the Senate Armed Services
Committee, said he would not be answering questions about the
classified session.
“You understand,” he said.
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