Key facts
- President Donald Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum.
- The memo empowers federal law enforcement to use cyber tools against transnational criminal organizations.
- It encourages private sector companies to collaborate with government agencies on cyber operations.
- The initiative aims to combat ransomware, financial fraud, and other cyber-enabled crimes targeting Americans.
- The program will operate under U.S. government direction and control.
President Donald Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) aimed at enhancing the U.S. government's ability to combat transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) through cyber tools. The White House stated that the memo empowers federal law enforcement to use these capabilities against foreign-based criminal groups that target Americans with ransomware, financial fraud, and other cyber-enabled crimes.
The NSPM directs the Homeland Security Task Force’s National Coordination Center (NCC) to establish a program for conducting specific cyber operations. A key aspect of this initiative is leveraging the innovation and capabilities of the private sector, encouraging vetted U.S. companies to enter into agreements with other private entities and government agencies. These partnerships are intended to facilitate the gathering of threat information on TCOs and the proposal of cyber operations to address these threats.
The framework established by the memo ensures that these cyber operations will be conducted under the direction, control, and authority of the U.S. Government. The directive also mandates the creation of rigorous procedures for the review and execution of these operations, emphasizing strict compliance with the U.S. Constitution, laws, and applicable international agreements. The White House highlighted that in 2025, American consumers reported losing over $20.8 billion to cyber-enabled crime, with 73% of U.S. adults experiencing some form of online scam or attack, underscoring the need for expanded capabilities to protect citizens.