Trump Signs Memo Authorizing U.S. Cyber Operations Against Foreign Criminal Groups

President Donald Trump has signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum authorizing U.S. federal law enforcement to conduct offensive cyber operations against transnational criminal organizations operating abroad. The directive, issued on August 13, 2026, formally permits the government to partner with private U.S. firms to disrupt and destroy the digital infrastructure of foreign criminal groups targeting Americans.

The memorandum establishes a new National Coordination Center, which will be co-directed by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. This center will oversee operations and leverage private sector capabilities to carry out cyberattacks under government direction and control. According to the White House, the program aims to disrupt criminal operations at their source, rather than waiting for financial and personal harm to reach American shores.

The order targets foreign groups responsible for ransomware, phishing, financial fraud, sextortion, and AI-assisted impersonation scams. The administration cited grim statistics to justify the action, noting that U.S. victims of cybercrime lost an estimated $20.8 billion in 2025, with 73% of...