David DiMolfetta
@ddimolfetta.bsky.social
Nextgov/FCW cybersecurity + intelligence reporter. Tips: [email protected] Signal: @ djd.99 X/Twitter: @ddimolfetta
Pinned
David DiMolfetta
@ddimolfetta.bsky.social
· Nov 10
(1/3) Hi all. My name is David, I cover U.S. federal cybersecurity policy, intelligence and a bit of national security for Nextgov/FCW in Washington, DC.
We are curious to hear from current or former government employees and officials about what the coming months will bring in this new admin.
We are curious to hear from current or former government employees and officials about what the coming months will bring in this new admin.
Shocking WaPo exclusive: "U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols"
New policy will classify them as “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
New policy will classify them as “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Shocking WaPo exclusive: "U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols"
New policy will classify them as “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
New policy will classify them as “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
NEW AP INVESTIGATION: With license plate readers and local law enforcement partnerships, Border Patrol is monitoring American drivers and detaining those exhibiting ‘suspicious’ travel patterns in the U.S. interior. w/
@garanceburke.bsky.social. apnews.com/article/immi...
@garanceburke.bsky.social. apnews.com/article/immi...
Border Patrol is monitoring US drivers and detaining those with 'suspicious' travel patterns
The U.S. Border Patrol is monitoring millions of American drivers nationwide in a secretive program to identify and detain people whose travel patterns it deems suspicious.
apnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:48 PM
NEW AP INVESTIGATION: With license plate readers and local law enforcement partnerships, Border Patrol is monitoring American drivers and detaining those exhibiting ‘suspicious’ travel patterns in the U.S. interior. w/
@garanceburke.bsky.social. apnews.com/article/immi...
@garanceburke.bsky.social. apnews.com/article/immi...
FCC votes to reverse telecom security rulemaking issued under Biden:
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
FCC votes to reverse telecom security rulemaking issued under Biden
The vote has drawn significant concern from congressional Democrats, who say it will weaken the security posture of telecom systems. The initial measure was enacted in response to Chinese hacks of U.S...
www.nextgov.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:21 PM
FCC votes to reverse telecom security rulemaking issued under Biden:
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
Scoop: The House Intelligence Committee privately considered a measure for the annual intelligence community authorization bill that would have stripped core authorities from DHS Office of Intelligence & Analysis, rendering much of the agency’s functions inert ⬇️
November 20, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Scoop: The House Intelligence Committee privately considered a measure for the annual intelligence community authorization bill that would have stripped core authorities from DHS Office of Intelligence & Analysis, rendering much of the agency’s functions inert ⬇️
Senators expect 10-year extension of cyber data-sharing law in future budget package:
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
Senators expect 10-year extension of cyber data-sharing law in future budget package
The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 got a temporary reprieve after the government reopened this month, but it risks lapsing again at the end of January.
www.nextgov.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Senators expect 10-year extension of cyber data-sharing law in future budget package:
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
A reminder that seven years ago almost to the day, the CIA determined that Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the killing of @washingtonpost.com journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
CIA concludes Saudi crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggi’s assassination
Audio recordings, intercepted phone calls and other intelligence link Mohammed bin Salman to killing that Saudis say was conducted by rogue elements.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:05 PM
A reminder that seven years ago almost to the day, the CIA determined that Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the killing of @washingtonpost.com journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
"The White House Intervened on Behalf of Accused Sex Trafficker Andrew Tate During a Federal Investigation" www.propublica.org/article/andr...
The White House Intervened on Behalf of Accused Sex Trafficker Andrew Tate During a Federal Investigation
Federal authorities were chided for seizing electronic devices from Tate and his brother, and told to return them, records and interviews show. Experts said the intervention was highly inappropriate.
www.propublica.org
November 18, 2025 at 2:48 PM
"The White House Intervened on Behalf of Accused Sex Trafficker Andrew Tate During a Federal Investigation" www.propublica.org/article/andr...
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
Dozens of groups call for governments to protect encryption cyberscoop.com/encryption-s... by @derekbjohnson.bsky.social
Dozens of groups call for governments to protect encryption
The letter comes as countries in Europe have moved over the past year to regulate or mandate legalized access for criminal and national security investigations.
cyberscoop.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Dozens of groups call for governments to protect encryption cyberscoop.com/encryption-s... by @derekbjohnson.bsky.social
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
Scoop: CISA plans to embark on a hiring spree and change some workforce policies in an effort to rebuild its depleted ranks ahead of a possible conflict with China, according to a memo from its acting director that I obtained.
www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/cisa-hi...
www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/cisa-hi...
CISA, eyeing China, plans hiring spree to rebuild its depleted ranks
The agency will also change some of its workforce policies to avoid driving away talented staff.
www.cybersecuritydive.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Scoop: CISA plans to embark on a hiring spree and change some workforce policies in an effort to rebuild its depleted ranks ahead of a possible conflict with China, according to a memo from its acting director that I obtained.
www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/cisa-hi...
www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/cisa-hi...
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
“Experts warned there's no single government agency in charge of monitoring, defending and repairing the cables, and no effective deterrent strategy.” breakingdefense.com/2025/11/grea...
'Greatest vulnerability': Australian Navy chief says protecting undersea cables is 'existential' - Breaking Defense
Experts warned there's no single government agency in charge of monitoring, defending and repairing the cables, and no effective deterrent strategy.
breakingdefense.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:04 AM
“Experts warned there's no single government agency in charge of monitoring, defending and repairing the cables, and no effective deterrent strategy.” breakingdefense.com/2025/11/grea...
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
Tulsi Gabbard is trying to take control over counterintelligence from the FBI. It's not going great. A scoop with @shaneharris.bsky.social
Tulsi Gabbard’s Quest to Bring the ‘Deep State’ Under Her Control
A memo circulating within the federal government lays out her office’s reasoning for wanting to transfer counterintelligence work away from the FBI.
www.theatlantic.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Tulsi Gabbard is trying to take control over counterintelligence from the FBI. It's not going great. A scoop with @shaneharris.bsky.social
Senate Homeland staffer: Senator Peters is aware of the CBO hack and is monitoring the situation.
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Garbarino statement:
November 7, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Senate Homeland staffer: Senator Peters is aware of the CBO hack and is monitoring the situation.
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Garbarino statement:
November 7, 2025 at 12:18 AM
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Garbarino statement:
Confirming WaPo - CBO systems accessed in ‘security incident’ possibly tied to foreign hackers:
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
CBO systems accessed in ‘security incident’ possibly tied to foreign hackers
The office estimates the cost and economic impact of proposed legislation and helps forecast federal spending, revenues, deficits and debt.
www.nextgov.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Confirming WaPo - CBO systems accessed in ‘security incident’ possibly tied to foreign hackers:
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
New: Washington Post latest to be identified as an Oracle EBS hacking victim
www.reuters.com/business/med...
www.reuters.com/business/med...
November 6, 2025 at 7:43 PM
New: Washington Post latest to be identified as an Oracle EBS hacking victim
www.reuters.com/business/med...
www.reuters.com/business/med...
Update: In a statement to Nextgov/FCW, CISA Director of Public Affairs Marci McCarthy said that “the agency does not comment on pending litigation and the government’s filings speak for themselves.”
DHS says it’s proceeding with planned layoffs at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, despite a recent court order barring workforce reductions across parts of the federal government during the ongoing shutdown:
www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
DHS says shutdown layoffs at CISA will proceed despite court injunction
The cybersecurity agency says it has complied with the court’s order because the firing of 54 people in its Stakeholder Engagement Division was planned beforehand and doesn’t affect unionized employee...
www.nextgov.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Update: In a statement to Nextgov/FCW, CISA Director of Public Affairs Marci McCarthy said that “the agency does not comment on pending litigation and the government’s filings speak for themselves.”
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
CISA's filing in the shutdown layoffs lawsuit provides the first confirmed count of laid-off employees in the Stakeholder Engagement Division: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us... (h/t www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...)
CISA says employees are exempt from injunction b/c they're not in a union.
CISA says employees are exempt from injunction b/c they're not in a union.
November 5, 2025 at 8:12 PM
CISA's filing in the shutdown layoffs lawsuit provides the first confirmed count of laid-off employees in the Stakeholder Engagement Division: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us... (h/t www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...)
CISA says employees are exempt from injunction b/c they're not in a union.
CISA says employees are exempt from injunction b/c they're not in a union.
DHS says it’s proceeding with planned layoffs at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, despite a recent court order barring workforce reductions across parts of the federal government during the ongoing shutdown:
www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
DHS says shutdown layoffs at CISA will proceed despite court injunction
The cybersecurity agency says it has complied with the court’s order because the firing of 54 people in its Stakeholder Engagement Division was planned beforehand and doesn’t affect unionized employee...
www.nextgov.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:48 PM
DHS says it’s proceeding with planned layoffs at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, despite a recent court order barring workforce reductions across parts of the federal government during the ongoing shutdown:
www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
NSA spox:
“NSA is unwavering in our Signals Intelligence and Cybersecurity missions to protect the United States and our citizens. We are committed to maintaining the same vigor, fortitude and drive in defending the nation and securing the future that we have for over 73 years.”
“NSA is unwavering in our Signals Intelligence and Cybersecurity missions to protect the United States and our citizens. We are committed to maintaining the same vigor, fortitude and drive in defending the nation and securing the future that we have for over 73 years.”
NEW: Inside NSA, a leadership vacuum and staffing cuts are threatening morale and operational strength, former officials and others tell Nextgov/FCW⬇️
November 5, 2025 at 7:38 PM
NSA spox:
“NSA is unwavering in our Signals Intelligence and Cybersecurity missions to protect the United States and our citizens. We are committed to maintaining the same vigor, fortitude and drive in defending the nation and securing the future that we have for over 73 years.”
“NSA is unwavering in our Signals Intelligence and Cybersecurity missions to protect the United States and our citizens. We are committed to maintaining the same vigor, fortitude and drive in defending the nation and securing the future that we have for over 73 years.”
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
@ddimolfetta.bsky.social looks at the consequences of layoffs and furloughs on the NSA's hacking and espionage missions, which may be faltering as people leave or sit at home: www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
November 4, 2025 at 4:30 PM
@ddimolfetta.bsky.social looks at the consequences of layoffs and furloughs on the NSA's hacking and espionage missions, which may be faltering as people leave or sit at home: www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
NEW: Inside NSA, a leadership vacuum and staffing cuts are threatening morale and operational strength, former officials and others tell Nextgov/FCW⬇️
November 4, 2025 at 4:08 PM
NEW: Inside NSA, a leadership vacuum and staffing cuts are threatening morale and operational strength, former officials and others tell Nextgov/FCW⬇️
Breaking tonight: The U.S. plans to pursue a “mass deferment” of job placement deadlines on the CyberCorps program, aiming to give affected students a temporary reprieve from requirements that would have sent many of them into debt.⬇️
November 3, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Breaking tonight: The U.S. plans to pursue a “mass deferment” of job placement deadlines on the CyberCorps program, aiming to give affected students a temporary reprieve from requirements that would have sent many of them into debt.⬇️
New: Ryan Donaghy, the CISA official who held acting director roles in two of the cyberdefense agency’s divisions, is moving to the Transportation Security Administration, sources familiar tell us. Unclear if the move was voluntary or if it was a directed transfer.
October 31, 2025 at 5:48 PM
New: Ryan Donaghy, the CISA official who held acting director roles in two of the cyberdefense agency’s divisions, is moving to the Transportation Security Administration, sources familiar tell us. Unclear if the move was voluntary or if it was a directed transfer.
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
CyberCorps participants are feeling betrayed by the promise of the program. My story: cyberscoop.com/cyber-schola...
Cyber scholarship-for-service students say government has pulled rug on them, potentially burdening them with debt
Some CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service participants have had federal agency job and internship offers rescinded this year due to cutbacks and freezes. It’s a condition of their scholarship contract ...
cyberscoop.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:59 PM
CyberCorps participants are feeling betrayed by the promise of the program. My story: cyberscoop.com/cyber-schola...
NEW: CyberCorps talent pipeline buckles under Trump hiring freezes --> I spoke to students about their experience being admitted to the scholarship program, only to learn that they are stuck with no federal cyber job and now risk incurring more debt:
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
October 29, 2025 at 9:05 PM
NEW: CyberCorps talent pipeline buckles under Trump hiring freezes --> I spoke to students about their experience being admitted to the scholarship program, only to learn that they are stuck with no federal cyber job and now risk incurring more debt:
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...