Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth Orders Halt To Russia-Related Cybersecurity Efforts

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered an end to all U.S. cybersecurity efforts against Russia by his department.

The order will extend to the Air Force Cyber Forces, responsible for planning and executing digital operations for the United States European Command. The order doesn’t apply to the National Security Agency (NSA), also led by Haugh, or its intelligence work with Russia.

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The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said that “its mission is to defend against all cyber threats to U.S. Critical Infrastructure, including from Russia. There has been no change in our posture.”

Cyber Command has begun composing a risk assessment for Hegseth, which lists potential threats from Russia.

Hegseth’s orders come at a time when Cyber Command is struggling to staff targets for Mexican drug cartels. Trump has advocated for the use of military force against the cartels.

“Due to operational security concerns, we do not comment nor discuss cyber intelligence, plans, or operations. There is no greater priority to Secretary Hegseth than the safety of the Warfighter in all operations, to include the cyber domain,” a senior defense official told NBC News.

The implications of Hegseth’s order are unclear. It could interrupt some of the command’s critical missions. Trump has made efforts to normalize ties with Moscow a top priority after years of hostility between the two countries.

The U.S.’s access to major Russian networks being curtailed has sparked much concern about how far the Trump administration is willing to go to develop a strong relationship with Russian President Vladamir Putin and negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.