Issue One criticizes Trump administration’s decision to stop offensive cyber and information operations against Russia

In response to the news that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered U.S. Cyber Command to stop offensive cyber and information operations against Russia, Issue One Campaigns Manager for Technology Reform Liana Keesing offered the following statement:

“For more than a decade, Russia has relied on cyber operations, including widespread influence campaigns on social media, to attack U.S. democracy. Yet instead of confronting this threat, the Trump administration has actively taken steps to make it easier for the Kremlin to interfere in our electoral processes. Secretary Hegseth’s decision to halt offensive cyber operations against Russia — combined with other recent decisions by the Trump administration to layoff federal employees and gut federal agencies that protect our elections against foreign interference — amount to enabling a known adversary.

“Preventing foreign meddling has historically been a bipartisan priority, and the initial creation of many of these programs took place during the first Trump administration. By now stepping back from efforts to counter Russian cyber aggression, we are ceding ground to a foe that has repeatedly attacked the foundations of our democracy. As long as Russia continues its interference, it must remain a top national security threat — ignoring that reality is reckless and dangerous.

“Democrats and Republicans in Congress must come together right now to exercise their constitutionally-granted oversight powers to end the dismantling of cybersecurity operations that protect U.S. elections and affairs from Russian cyber attacks. Congress should also work to enact safeguards — like banning foreign political ads and protecting Americans’ data — that would create a healthier information environment more resistant to foreign interference.”

Background:

The halting of offensive cybersecurity and information operations against Russia is part of a broader trend of the second Trump administration gutting key cybersecurity programs that protect against foreign interference. Last month, the Trump administration instigated mass layoffs at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), disbanded the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force, and limited enforcement of Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), a nearly 90-year-old law requiring that people who lobby on behalf of foreign governments register with the Justice Department and make disclosures about their lobbying activities.