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.
House Homeland Chairman requesting briefings from Verizon and FCC on this week’s Verizon outage —
homeland.house.gov/wp-content/u...
homeland.house.gov/wp-content/u...
homeland.house.gov
January 16, 2026 at 10:53 PM
House Homeland Chairman requesting briefings from Verizon and FCC on this week’s Verizon outage —
homeland.house.gov/wp-content/u...
homeland.house.gov/wp-content/u...
Nextgov/FCW exclusive → The chairman of the House China Select Committee is scrutinizing a loophole in an NSF program that appears to let Chinese institutions access U.S.-funded high-performance computing infrastructure.
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
Lawmaker worries NSF program loophole enables Chinese institutions to access US-backed computing resources
Chinese entities are able to access a stockpile of high-performance computing tools funded by the U.S. government, creating potential technology transfer risks, Rep. John Moolenaar said in a letter se...
www.nextgov.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Nextgov/FCW exclusive → The chairman of the House China Select Committee is scrutinizing a loophole in an NSF program that appears to let Chinese institutions access U.S.-funded high-performance computing infrastructure.
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
Trump administration officials may pull out of RSAC, the world's biggest cyber conference, after the conference's organizer appointed Biden-era CISA director Jen Easterly as its CEO. www.nextgov.com/people/2026/...
How does this advance the nation's cybersecurity?
How does this advance the nation's cybersecurity?
Trump officials consider skipping premier cyber conference after Biden-era cyber leader named CEO
Jen Easterly, who led the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency under Biden, was named CEO of RSAC Conference Thursday.
www.nextgov.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:41 PM
Trump administration officials may pull out of RSAC, the world's biggest cyber conference, after the conference's organizer appointed Biden-era CISA director Jen Easterly as its CEO. www.nextgov.com/people/2026/...
How does this advance the nation's cybersecurity?
How does this advance the nation's cybersecurity?
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
Scoop: Top Trump cyber officials are in discussions to cancel their attendance at the RSAC Conference in March after a top Biden-era cyber leader was named as CEO of the conference ⬇️
January 16, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Scoop: Top Trump cyber officials are in discussions to cancel their attendance at the RSAC Conference in March after a top Biden-era cyber leader was named as CEO of the conference ⬇️
January 16, 2026 at 2:35 AM
Scoop: Top Trump cyber officials are in discussions to cancel their attendance at the RSAC Conference in March after a top Biden-era cyber leader was named as CEO of the conference ⬇️
“For decades I have had the opportunity to be a leader, consumer, enabler, generator and integrator of the intelligence and operational capabilities of the NSA and Cyber Command,” INDOPACOM Deputy Commander Josh Rudd said.
www.nextgov.com/people/2026/...
www.nextgov.com/people/2026/...
Rudd defends qualifications to lead NSA, Cyber Command at confirmation hearing
“For decades I have had the opportunity to be a leader, consumer, enabler, generator and integrator of the intelligence and operational capabilities of the NSA and Cyber Command,” INDOPACOM Deputy Com...
www.nextgov.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:49 PM
“For decades I have had the opportunity to be a leader, consumer, enabler, generator and integrator of the intelligence and operational capabilities of the NSA and Cyber Command,” INDOPACOM Deputy Commander Josh Rudd said.
www.nextgov.com/people/2026/...
www.nextgov.com/people/2026/...
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
The U.S. cyberattack in Caracas, Venezuela, that turned off the power and interfered with its air defense radar demonstrated the Pentagon’s ability to use cyberweapons with powerful and precise effects, according to U.S. officials briefed on the operation.
Cyberattack in Venezuela Demonstrated Precision of U.S. Capabilities
Senators are expected to ask Lt. Gen. Joshua M. Rudd, President Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Cyber Command, about the mission in Caracas.
nyti.ms
January 15, 2026 at 3:40 PM
The U.S. cyberattack in Caracas, Venezuela, that turned off the power and interfered with its air defense radar demonstrated the Pentagon’s ability to use cyberweapons with powerful and precise effects, according to U.S. officials briefed on the operation.
Rudd's opening statement: "For decades I have had the opportunity to be a leader, consumer, enabler, generator, and integrator of the intelligence and operational capabilities of the NSA and Cyber Command."
January 15, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Rudd's opening statement: "For decades I have had the opportunity to be a leader, consumer, enabler, generator, and integrator of the intelligence and operational capabilities of the NSA and Cyber Command."
New: Trump’s nominee to lead NSA and Cyber Command comes from a less traditional background than past leaders in the role, though former officials and China experts say his INDOPACOM experience can benefit U.S. cyber operations focused on Beijing.
www.nextgov.com/people/2026/...
www.nextgov.com/people/2026/...
Experts see NSA nominee’s Pacific experience as a boost to US cyber posture on China
Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd currently serves as deputy commander of Indo-Pacific Command.
www.nextgov.com
January 14, 2026 at 10:57 PM
New: Trump’s nominee to lead NSA and Cyber Command comes from a less traditional background than past leaders in the role, though former officials and China experts say his INDOPACOM experience can benefit U.S. cyber operations focused on Beijing.
www.nextgov.com/people/2026/...
www.nextgov.com/people/2026/...
And would you look at that, Plankey has been renominated - www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
January 13, 2026 at 9:52 PM
And would you look at that, Plankey has been renominated - www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Sharing quick tidbits from the Hill today. I asked Rep. Garbarino, House Homeland Chairman, about reports of the Chinese breach into House committees' email accounts. He said he's "not prepared to talk about that right now."
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
Chinese hackers targeted email systems of US congressional staff, people familiar say
The incident adds another chapter in a storied history of China’s cyber attempts to nab sensitive data from U.S. government systems.
www.nextgov.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Sharing quick tidbits from the Hill today. I asked Rep. Garbarino, House Homeland Chairman, about reports of the Chinese breach into House committees' email accounts. He said he's "not prepared to talk about that right now."
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
More Americans diagnosed with cancer are now surviving the disease — marking a positive trend that experts say reflects the effectiveness of early prevention and detection strategies, and advancements in treatment and care.
More Americans are surviving cancer — even the deadliest ones
For the first time, the five-year survival rate for all cancers has reached 70 percent, according to a new report from the American Cancer Society.
wapo.st
January 13, 2026 at 6:30 PM
More Americans diagnosed with cancer are now surviving the disease — marking a positive trend that experts say reflects the effectiveness of early prevention and detection strategies, and advancements in treatment and care.
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
ICYMI: Josh Gruenbaum -- a financier with no apparent expertise in foreign policy -- has been attending high-level negotiations related to Ukraine and Gaza. He's an appointee at GSA, which has no role in foreign policy.
www.defenseone.com/policy/2026/...
www.defenseone.com/policy/2026/...
Why is GSA’s procurement chief in international negotiations over Ukraine and Gaza?
Josh Gruenbaum, a financier with no apparent expertise in foreign policy, is a top official at the General Services Administration, which has no role in foreign policy.
www.defenseone.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:18 PM
ICYMI: Josh Gruenbaum -- a financier with no apparent expertise in foreign policy -- has been attending high-level negotiations related to Ukraine and Gaza. He's an appointee at GSA, which has no role in foreign policy.
www.defenseone.com/policy/2026/...
www.defenseone.com/policy/2026/...
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
New: India proposes forcing smartphone makers to share source code
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
Exclusive: India proposes forcing smartphone makers to give source code in security overhaul
The plan is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to boost security of user data as online fraud and data breaches increase in the world's second-largest smartphone market.
www.reuters.com
January 11, 2026 at 2:27 PM
New: India proposes forcing smartphone makers to share source code
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
“The move to cut Gabbard out of the meetings was so well-known that some White House aides joked that the acronym of her title, DNI, stood for ‘Do Not Invite,’ according to three of the people.”
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
US Spy Chief Gabbard Excluded From Maduro Plan Over Past Views
The White House excluded Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard from months of planning to oust Nicolas Maduro because her previous opposition to military action in Venezuela cast doubt on he...
www.bloomberg.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:47 PM
“The move to cut Gabbard out of the meetings was so well-known that some White House aides joked that the acronym of her title, DNI, stood for ‘Do Not Invite,’ according to three of the people.”
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Confirming FT — Chinese hackers targeted email systems of US congressional staff, people familiar say. But unclear if hack was carried out by Salt Typhoon:
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
Chinese hackers targeted email systems of US congressional staff, people familiar say
The incident adds another chapter in a storied history of China’s cyber attempts to nab sensitive data from U.S. government systems.
www.nextgov.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Confirming FT — Chinese hackers targeted email systems of US congressional staff, people familiar say. But unclear if hack was carried out by Salt Typhoon:
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
NEW: EEOC was impacted in an internal security incident that occurred around a year ago, and involved a contractor’s employees mishandling sensitive data in one of the agency’s systems ⬇️
January 8, 2026 at 4:20 PM
NEW: EEOC was impacted in an internal security incident that occurred around a year ago, and involved a contractor’s employees mishandling sensitive data in one of the agency’s systems ⬇️
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
NEW: Publishers of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announce they are shutting down the newspaper on May 3, 2026.
Hours ago, the Supreme Court of the US declined to extend a stay on a court order for the paper to pay its journalists following the end of a 3-year strike.
Hours ago, the Supreme Court of the US declined to extend a stay on a court order for the paper to pay its journalists following the end of a 3-year strike.
January 7, 2026 at 6:31 PM
NEW: Publishers of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announce they are shutting down the newspaper on May 3, 2026.
Hours ago, the Supreme Court of the US declined to extend a stay on a court order for the paper to pay its journalists following the end of a 3-year strike.
Hours ago, the Supreme Court of the US declined to extend a stay on a court order for the paper to pay its journalists following the end of a 3-year strike.
Various groups are keeping their eyes peeled for hacking and information warfare efforts launched in response to an unprecedented U.S. operation conducted over the weekend that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. w/ @notamazonalexa.bsky.social -->
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
Analysts watch for heightened cyber, disinformation campaigns following Venezuela raid
Disinformation operations have been spotted, but there are no signs the efforts are being coordinated through a foreign government, one observer told Nextgov/FCW.
www.nextgov.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:05 PM
Various groups are keeping their eyes peeled for hacking and information warfare efforts launched in response to an unprecedented U.S. operation conducted over the weekend that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. w/ @notamazonalexa.bsky.social -->
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
UL Solutions withdraws as lead admin for FCC cyber label program amid probe into China ties
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
UL Solutions withdraws as lead admin for FCC cyber label program amid probe into China ties
It’s not immediately clear who would administer the program, which was launched under Biden to help designate cyber-secure consumer electronic devices.
www.nextgov.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:22 PM
UL Solutions withdraws as lead admin for FCC cyber label program amid probe into China ties
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
For DefenseOne - US spy agencies contributed to operation that captured Maduro:
www.defenseone.com/threats/2026...
www.defenseone.com/threats/2026...
US spy agencies contributed to operation that captured Maduro
The CIA helped locate the Venezuelan leader while others monitored electronic communications.
www.defenseone.com
January 3, 2026 at 7:33 PM
For DefenseOne - US spy agencies contributed to operation that captured Maduro:
www.defenseone.com/threats/2026...
www.defenseone.com/threats/2026...
Multiple U.S. spy offices stood up crisis action teams that provided intelligence to SOCOM and SOUTHCOM throughout the Caracas operations, a U.S. official told me. NSA also oversaw geolocation support to gather intelligence used to aid in the operation, the official added.
January 3, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Multiple U.S. spy offices stood up crisis action teams that provided intelligence to SOCOM and SOUTHCOM throughout the Caracas operations, a U.S. official told me. NSA also oversaw geolocation support to gather intelligence used to aid in the operation, the official added.
Joint Chiefs Chairman says CIA, NSA and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency contributed to last night's operation. Adds that "months of work" involved tracking how Maduro moved, where he traveled, what he ate and what clothes he wore. Cyber Command also contributed support.
January 3, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Joint Chiefs Chairman says CIA, NSA and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency contributed to last night's operation. Adds that "months of work" involved tracking how Maduro moved, where he traveled, what he ate and what clothes he wore. Cyber Command also contributed support.
Statement from Chairman of House Intelligence Committee calls on Venezuelan people “to reclaim their freedom.”
January 3, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Statement from Chairman of House Intelligence Committee calls on Venezuelan people “to reclaim their freedom.”
Trump formally taps Joshua Rudd to lead NSA, Cyber Command: www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
Trump formally taps Joshua Rudd to lead NSA, Cyber Command
The nomination marks a turning point for the electronic surveillance and hacking teams that have been without a permanent leader for eight months.
www.nextgov.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Trump formally taps Joshua Rudd to lead NSA, Cyber Command: www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...