Trump Authorizes Private Firms to Conduct Offensive Cyber Operations

The Trump administration has authorized vetted private U.S. companies to conduct offensive cyber operations against foreign criminal organizations for the first time, marking a significant shift in the nation's approach to combating cybercrime. A presidential memorandum signed on August 12, 2026, directs the National Coordination Center, operating under the Homeland Security Task Force, to establish a program allowing these companies to partner with the federal government on surveillance and disruptive attacks targeting transnational criminal organizations (TCOs).

The memorandum, released publicly on August 13, 2026, outlines that the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security will provide oversight and must approve each operation in advance. The program targets foreign groups conducting cyber-enabled crimes such as ransomware, financial fraud, and phishing campaigns against U.S. persons, organizations, or government entities. Authorized activities include "Cyber Surveillance Operations," which may involve accessing foreign systems to gather intelligence, and "Cyber Effects Operations," which can disrupt, degrade, or destroy criminal infrastructure.