Story perspectives

Trump Launches $1 Million-Bond Program for Cyberattacks

8/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump launched a program letting private firms cyberattack foreign criminal groups.
The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security will oversee participating firms.
Firms must post a $1 million bond forfeitable on breach.
Jason Healey, senior cyber conflict researcher at Columbia University, warned participants face substantial personal legal risk.
Ben Bernstein, manager for the cybersecurity advisers team at Huntress, warned retaliation could harm innocent infrastructure.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump launched a program letting private firms cyberattack foreign criminal groups.
The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security will oversee participating firms.
Firms must post a $1 million bond forfeitable on breach.
Jason Healey, senior cyber conflict researcher at Columbia University, warned participants face substantial personal legal risk.
Ben Bernstein, manager for the cybersecurity advisers team at Huntress, warned retaliation could harm innocent infrastructure.