President Trump prolongs national emergency over cyber threats for an additional year.
President Trump has recently announced that he has extended the national emergency concerning malicious cyber activities against the U.S. for another year. The initial national emergency was declared in April 2015 to address the growing threat to national security, foreign policy, and the economy posed by cyber-enabled activities. This extension, issued by President Trump, is a continuation of efforts initiated by former President Barack Obama to combat these threats.
Executive Order 13694, signed by Obama, acknowledged the unusual and extraordinary threat posed by malicious cyber activities originating from outside the U.S. This compelled subsequent administrations, including Trump’s, to take additional steps to address this ongoing national emergency. On January 20, 2025, Executive Order 14148 was issued, revoking the previous Executive Order 14110 while emphasizing the need for continued vigilance against cyber threats.
President Trump justified the extension, stating that significant malicious cyber-enabled activities continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the U.S.’s national security, foreign policy, and economy. Therefore, he invoked section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act to extend the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13694 for another year, effective beyond April 1, 2025. Trump also highlighted the need to transmit the latest notice to Congress to keep stakeholders informed about this ongoing threat.
In response to a social media threat detailing a potential terrorist attack on hospitals across multiple U.S. cities, the American Hospital Association (AHA) and Health-ISAC issued a bulletin to raise awareness and preparedness among healthcare facilities. While maintaining close communication with the FBI, the agencies acted out of an abundance of caution to keep healthcare providers informed about potential risks.
However, after intense investigation and intelligence review, the FBI stated that they have not identified any specific credible threats targeting hospitals in U.S. cities. The FBI assured that if credible threats emerge, they will promptly inform potential targets and alert the broader health care sector through relevant channels, such as AHA and Health-ISAC. This response aims to ensure preparedness and proactive measures against potential cyber threats.
Additionally, recent reports indicated that members of the advisory committees, including the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB), were dismissed by the Trump administration. This decision is part of broader efforts to streamline operations and cut costs within the agency, reflecting the administration’s focus on cybersecurity and national security.
In conclusion, President Trump’s extension of the national emergency regarding cyber threats underscores the ongoing efforts to combat malicious cyber activities that threaten the U.S.’s critical infrastructure and institutions. The collaboration between governmental agencies, healthcare providers, and cybersecurity entities reflects a collective commitment to addressing cybersecurity challenges and ensuring national security in the digital age.