Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Expands Capabilities to Combat Transnational Cyber-Enabled Crime
The White House
August 12, 2026
THWARTING CYBER CRIMES: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) empowering U.S. Federal law enforcement to use cyber tools to disrupt transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) that operate in foreign jurisdictions to attack Americans.
The NSPM directs the Homeland Security Task Force’s National Coordination Center (NCC) to create a program to conduct specific cyber operations that disrupt foreign TCOs, with two Executive Directors from the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security.
The NSPM directs the NCC to leverage the capability and innovation of the private sector to help conduct these cyber operations under the direction, control, and authority of the U.S. Government.
The NSPM establishes a framework where private sector companies that willingly participate in the program are encouraged to enter into agreements with other private entities as well Federal, State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial agencies to gather TCO threat information and propose cyber operations that address those threats.
The NSPM directs the Program’s Executive Directors and the Homeland Security Council to create rigorous procedures for the review and conduct of these limited cyber operations at the direction of the U.S. Government, ensuring strict compliance with the U.S. Constitution and laws, as well as applicable international agreements.
DISRUPTING CRIMINALS TARGETING AMERICANS: President Trump is unleashing every available tool to stop foreign-based organized criminal organizations that exploit Americans in cyberspace.
Ransomware attacks, phishing campaigns, financial frauds, sextortion schemes, and impersonation scams are often coordinated campaigns run by sophisticated TCOs based outside of the United States.
The most vulnerable among us—seniors, children, and low-income families—are disproportionately targeted, with scammers draining life savings, stealing the benefits of years of work, and destroying lives.
In 2025, American consumers reported losing more than $20.8 billion to cyber-enabled crime.
73% of U.S. adults have experienced some kind of online scam or attack and 98% of Americans believe scams pose a threat to individuals in the U.S., with two-thirds saying it is a “major” threat.
One in seven young people who experienced sextortion as a minor reported harming themselves in response to the abuse. Until now, outdated frameworks, gaps in coordination, and the absence of meaningful consequences have allowed these networks to thrive.
The American private sector is the most innovative and technologically advanced in the world—which provides a critical offensive cyber advantage for the United States.
By partnering with vetted U.S. companies, we will enhance our ability to counter TCO threats and combat transnational cybercrime, fraud, and other predatory schemes against American citizens.
DELIVERING SECURITY AND JUSTICE FOR AMERICANS: President Trump is committed to addressing crime targeting Americans regardless of where it originates.
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