PolitiFact is reporting that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth plans to implement annual testosterone level testing for U.S. service members. Hegseth announced in a July 15 X post his vision for a "High-T Department of War," stating that "war fighters age 30 and older" would undergo mandatory screening as part of their existing annual health assessments. Service members under 30 could opt in voluntarily. If low testosterone treatment is recommended, individuals would have the choice to receive testosterone replacement therapy. Hegseth emphasized the initiative is about "restoring and optimizing your natural capabilities," not artificial enhancement.
PolitiFact noted that the optimization of testosterone levels is complex, with scientists disagreeing on a single definition of a "too low" value, as it depends on sex, age and symptoms. It said not everyone with lower testosterone levels requires replacement therapy, which carries both benefits and risks. The Defense Department provided limited clarity on the policy's practical implementation, though a July 15 Pentagon spokesperson confirmed mandatory screening for active duty and reserve personnel 30 and older.
Regarding healthy testosterone levels, PolitiFact explained that no single number defines a healthy level, but doctors have identified acceptable ranges. For adult men, normal levels typically range from 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter, while adult women generally have 15 to 46 nanograms per deciliter. Levels naturally decrease with age, with men's testosterone dropping about 1% to 2% annually after age 30 or 40. Testosterone levels are usually checked via blood tests, with the accuracy of at-home saliva tests being uncertain.
PolitiFact also reported on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin's recent claim that foreign adversaries can access voting machines and alter votes. Mullin stated July 17 that foreign adversaries possess vital parts in U.S. voting machines and can change voter registration and votes, asserting this is not debatable. PolitiFact sought more details from DHS, which reiterated calls for states to guard against noncitizen voters, and the White House referred inquiries to DHS. PolitiFact clarified that voter registration does not involve voting machines.
It said Mullin's comments reflect long-standing concerns among security and election technology experts about voting machine weaknesses that could allow tampering. J. Alex Halderman, a University of Michigan professor, noted that hardware attacks could manipulate security controls. However, PolitiFact highlighted there is no evidence such vulnerabilities have ever been exploited in a real U.S. election. The U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence's 2019 report on Russian interference in the 2016 election mentioned an experiment where hackers gained physical access to machines to change votes. PolitiFact noted that election officials implement various measures to secure equipment, restricting physical access, storing machines in locked areas with surveillance, and tracking movements. It also said a 2024 National Intelligence Council assessment indicated voting machines are typically not connected to the internet.