Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a halt to offensive cyberoperations against Russia by U.S. Cyber Command, scaling back efforts to counter a key adversary despite growing calls from national security experts for expanded cybersecurity measures.
A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the operations, confirmed the suspension on Monday.
Hegseth’s decision does not impact cyberoperations conducted by other agencies such as the CIA and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). However, the Trump administration has also rolled back cyber-focused initiatives at the FBI and other agencies tasked with countering digital and cyber threats.
The Pentagon’s decision, first reported by *The Record*, comes at a time when cybersecurity experts and national security officials are advocating for increased investment in cyber defense and offensive capabilities. China and Russia, in particular, have been accused of attempting to disrupt the U.S. economy, elections, and national security through cyberattacks.
Lawmakers from both parties have urged a stronger offensive cyber posture. During his Senate confirmation hearing earlier this year, CIA Director John Ratcliffe emphasized that America’s adversaries view cyberespionage—including the theft of sensitive data and disruption of critical infrastructure—as a vital tool in modern warfare.
“I want us to have all of the tools necessary to go on offense against our adversaries in the cyber community,” Ratcliffe said.
U.S. Cyber Command, which oversees the Pentagon’s cybersecurity strategy, is regarded as the nation’s frontline defense in cyberspace. It is also responsible for planning offensive cyberoperations against foreign threats.
The timing of Hegseth’s directive has raised questions, as it preceded a diplomatic dispute between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. While it remains unclear whether the suspension is tied to negotiations, some speculate it could be part of a broader strategy to pressure Moscow into peace talks regarding Ukraine.
Trump has previously vowed to end the conflict that began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine three years ago. On Monday, he criticized Zelenskyy for suggesting that peace remains a distant goal.
The White House has not yet responded to inquiries regarding Hegseth’s order.
Cyber warfare is an increasingly attractive tool for nations seeking to challenge the U.S. without traditional military force. It offers a low-cost, covert means of economic and political disruption with reduced risk of direct military retaliation.
“Cyber-enabled economic warfare is now a nation-state-level threat,” said Snehal Antani, CEO of cybersecurity firm Horizon3.ai. “We are in a critical period where offensive capabilities significantly outpace defensive measures.”
Artificial intelligence has further transformed cyber conflicts, enabling adversaries—including Russia, China, and North Korea—to execute large-scale attacks more efficiently. AI can now automate hacking, generate disinformation, and identify vulnerabilities faster than human operators.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi has disbanded an FBI task force dedicated to combating foreign influence operations, such as Russia’s previous interference in U.S. elections. Additionally, over a dozen election security specialists at CISA have been placed on leave.
These policy shifts have left the U.S. increasingly vulnerable, according to Liana Keesing, campaigns manager for technology reform at *Issue One*, a nonprofit that analyzes technology’s impact on democracy.
“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,” Keesing said.
As cyber threats continue to evolve, national security experts warn that limiting U.S. offensive capabilities could weaken America’s ability to deter future attacks.
