White House Authorizes Private Sector to Conduct Offensive Cyber Operations Against Foreign Criminal Networks

President Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum on August 12, 2026, enabling vetted private U.S. companies to conduct offensive cyber operations against foreign transnational criminal organizations under federal government oversight. This initiative aims to combat cybercrime, including ransomware and phishing, which cost U.S. consumers over $20.8 billion in 2025. The program will be managed by a National Coordination Center led by the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security.