Rep. Mike Waltz, who was tapped as the National Security Advisor for a potential second Trump administration, has signaled a tough stance on Chinese-linked cyberattacks.
Waltz called for a more aggressive U.S. response against the “absolutely unacceptable” Chinese hacking activities in a recent CBS interview.
The White House revealed that Chinese hackers infiltrated at least eight American telecom companies, accessing sensitive communications of high-ranking officials and politicians.
He emphasized the need to impose steeper costs on both state and non-state actors engaged in cyber espionage and data theft, hinting at harsher sanctions against Beijing.
Waltz referenced the Chinese-linked hacking group Volt Typhoon, warning of the grave threat posed by cyber sabotage of critical infrastructure. He asserted that Trump shared his concerns and advocated for a strategy to alter adversary behavior rather than merely bolstering defenses.
While not detailing the initial plans, Waltz indicated a shift in cyber doctrine and a focus on deterrence through cost imposition.
Waltz noted Trump’s openness to high-level dialogue regarding U.S.-China relations. He added that recent exchanges have not progressed beyond diplomatic niceties.
Waltz reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, describing the conflict as a “World War I trench warfare.” He stressed Trump’s concern over the ongoing casualties and the urgent need to halt hostilities.
Waltz was willing to explore ceasefire options while cooperating with the current administration until the transition.
He remained tight-lipped about potential back-channel communications between Trump and Putin via Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán but affirmed Trump’s commitment to ending the war.
Waltz criticized the “blank check” strategy for Ukraine aid and insisted on a more strategic allocation of resources, similar to Trump’s stance on the matter.
Waltz, addressing the possibility of the U.S. military maintaining its presence in Syria, stated that their primary goal is to prevent ISIS from reemerging significantly to threaten Iraq, Jordan, Turkey, and Europe or to reestablish a caliphate—a theocratic Islamic state—that promotes terrorism against the United States, similar to its actions in 2014.
Waltz also talked about the appearance of unidentified drones along the East Coast, including New Jersey and New York, highlighting gaps in current capabilities and enforcement systems. He emphasized the importance of identifying the source of these drones and expressed his belief that the Biden administration is actively working to address the issue.
Waltz further emphasized the importance of identifying who is responsible for the unidentified drones, particularly given their proximity to sensitive locations like the Picatinny Arsenal and Trump’s Bedminster estate. He expressed concern that the drones might have been programmed with pre-set GPS coordinates or launched from overseas. Additionally, he proposed broadening the scope of national defense by referencing Trump’s suggestion of an ‘Iron Dome’ for America, which he argued should counter not just threats like hypersonic missiles but also address risks posed by drones.
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