Trump signs memo letting vetted private companies conduct offensive cyber operations against foreign criminal networks
President Trump signed a memo creating a DHS-run program that lets vetted private firms carry out offensive cyber operations against foreign ransomware and fraud networks, per Reuters and Bloomberg.
President Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, letting vetted private-sector companies conduct offensive cyber operations - under direct U.S. government control - against foreign 'transnational criminal organizations' behind ransomware attacks and financial fraud targeting Americans. The Department of Homeland Security will run the new program through its Homeland Security Task Force's National Coordination Center, with oversight from the Department of Justice. Participating companies must maintain a bond or escrow of at least $1 million, forfeited for non-compliance. It marks a significant shift for the U.S., where such operations have historically been run almost entirely by government agencies. Sources: Reuters, Bloomberg. Visuals and voiceover are AI-generated.