Brian Krebs, an investigative reporter specializing in cyber security said the combination of Hegseth's order and Friday's Oval Office meltdown couldn't have come at a worse time.
"There is zero reason for the US to relax any offensive digital actions against Russia. If anything, we should be applying 10x more," Krebs posted on LinkedIn. "This is indefensible, but makes sense given the president's embarrassing performance at the White House today browbeating President Zelensky by continuously saying 'World War III' and again echoing Kremlin sabre rattling."
According to The Record, Hegseth's order may lessen the nation's ability to protect private sector digital infrastructure both at home and abroad as U.S. Cyber Command has played a critical role in counteracting Russia's cyber offensive strategy.