As the war with Iran intensifies, it has reignited a concern that usually bubbles up when the U.S. enters into conflict with another country: Could the United States bring back the military draft?
The anxiety isn’t entirely surprising. In recent weeks, tensions have escalated, and the Trump administration has acknowledged the possibility of a longer fight. At the same time, comments from the White House about keeping “options on the table” have fueled speculation on social media about whether Americans could eventually be called into military service.
Historically, major wars have often revived fears of conscription, particularly when the prospect of a prolonged conflict or large troop deployments arises. The United States hasn’t used a military draft since 1973, at the end of the Vietnam War, though the government still maintains the Selective Service System (the federal program responsible for administering a draft) that could be activated if the draft were ever reinstated. Any move to bring it back would likely face strong public opposition: Roughly three-quarters of Americans oppose reinstating the draft, according to the Pew Research Center.
So what would it actually take for this type of military recruitment to return — and is that something Americans should realistically expect in the current conflict?
Will Trump bring back the military draft in 2026?
Trump himself hasn’t announced any plan to reinstate the draft. In fact, during his 2024 presidential campaign, he often warned that Democrats would bring it back, claiming — without evidence — that Democratic nominee Kamala Harris would do so if elected. “A vote for Kamala is a vote for a war with Russia,” he said, adding that it would also mean bringing back the draft.
Still, questions about a potential draft have surfaced in media interviews as the situation in Iran intensifies. During a Fox News appearance on Sunday Morning Futures, host Maria Bartiromo asked about the possibility of both ground troops and a draft.
“Mothers are worried that we’re going to have a draft, that they’re going to see their sons and daughters get involved in this,” Bartiromo said. “What do you want to say about the president’s plans for troops on the ground? As we know, it’s largely been an air campaign up until now.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration is continuing to assess the situation. “I know a lot of politicians like to do that quickly, but the president, as commander in chief, wants to continue to assess the success of this military operation,” she said. “It’s not part of the current plan right now, but again, the president wisely keeps his options on the table.”
Deploying ground troops, however, is not the same as reinstating a military draft. The U.S. relies on an all-volunteer military, meaning active-duty troops and reservists can be deployed without conscripting civilians.
Still, Leavitt’s comments quickly circulated online and drew reactions from some conservative lawmakers. Responding to a clip of the exchange on X, former Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote: “Not my son, over my dead body!!!!!”
Can the president bring back the draft?
The president cannot bring back the military draft on his own. Congress holds the constitutional power to “raise and support Armies.” This means lawmakers would have to pass legislation authorizing conscription, and they’ve hinted at no such plan.
Given how deeply divided Washington is today, such a move would likely face major political hurdles. While presidents from both parties have increasingly relied on executive authority to bypass congressional gridlock on major policy decisions, reinstating a draft would still require lawmakers to act. And historically, that has been rare: The U.S. has used conscription in just six major conflicts: The Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
Still, the White House's leaving the door open to the possibility raises questions about what actually employing a draft would look like in practice. Any effort would likely involve activating provisions of the Military Selective Service Act, which governs the Selective Service System.
If authorized, officials would probably use a lottery system to determine the order in which eligible men are called to serve, with numbers tied to birthdates. The drawing would be conducted publicly and broadcast nationally.
Men who are 20 — or turning 20 in the year the drawing is held — would likely be called first. Those who are 21 to 25 would fall into progressively lower priority groups until they age out of eligibility at 26.
Even without an active draft, most men in the United States are still required to register with the Selective Service System when they turn 18. Under federal law, knowingly failing to do so can carry penalties of up to $250,000 in fines, five years in prison, or both — though prosecutions are extremely rare. In practice, failing to register is more likely to affect eligibility for certain federal benefits, such as student financial aid or government jobs.
Who would be exempt?
Even if someone is registered and their number is called in a draft lottery, they would not automatically be inducted into the military. According to the Selective Service System, local boards would first classify registrants to determine who is available for service and who qualifies for deferments or exemptions.
That classification process takes several factors into account, including health, family circumstances, and other considerations. Having a medical condition or disability does not automatically mean someone would be exempt. Instead, registrants would typically undergo medical evaluations, and officials would determine whether they are fit for service, eligible for limited or noncombat roles, or disqualified entirely.
Historically, some people have also been able to delay service. Past draft systems allowed college students to postpone induction until the end of a semester or academic year.
Others may qualify for hardship deferments if their induction would create significant difficulties for dependents — for example, if they are the primary caregiver or financial supporter for a child or disabled relative.
Those who object to war on religious or moral grounds can apply for conscientious objector status, which may allow them to perform noncombat military roles or alternative civilian service.
What about women?
As the law currently stands, women would not be included in a military draft. The Military Selective Service Act authorizes the registration of “male persons,” meaning women are not required to register with the Selective Service System.
Lawmakers have debated changing that rule for years. A congressionally created commission studying national service recommended in 2020 that women be required to register and be included in any future draft, arguing that the current system no longer reflects the role women play in the modern military. Congress has considered proposals to make that change, but none have been enacted.
For now, officials say there are no plans for a draft at all. But as the conflict with Iran continues to unfold, questions about how the U.S. would sustain a larger war — and who would fight it — are likely to keep resurfacing.
