TL;DR
Over 2025 the administration enacted a string of policy changes that critics say weaken U.S. capacity to police cyber threats, white-collar crime, and foreign influence while expanding government powers to screen speech and traveler data. Actions ranged from new national security directives and border data collection to scaled-back enforcement of corruption and crypto cases.
What happened
Throughout 2025 the White House moved quickly to reshape how federal agencies handle technology-related risks and related law enforcement priorities. A September national security directive (NSPM-7) instructed officials to target a broad set of activities labeled "anti‑American," and the Justice Department circulated guidance to build lists of Americans whose conduct "may constitute domestic terrorism," plus a public reward program to encourage reporting. U.S. Customs and Border Protection updated visa-screening to request up to five years of social media history and other long-range contact and email data. Administratively, the administration suspended enforcement of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, disbanded kleptocracy and foreign‑influence units, and redirected resources away from white‑collar and cyber investigations. Regulators also dialed back enforcement against major crypto firms while the Treasury paused aspects of a corporate‑ownership transparency law. The president issued pardons and commutations for convicted figures tied to financial crimes, and signed an executive order offering expedited residency to wealthy applicants under a new "Gold Card" program.
Why it matters
- Shifts reduce investigative capacity against corruption, money laundering and cross‑border cyber operations.
- Stronger border data collection and broad national‑security language raise civil‑liberties and press‑freedom concerns.
- A lighter regulatory posture toward crypto investors and firms can increase risk for retail investors and enable opaque financial flows.
- Disbanding specialized units and halting coordinated counter‑disinformation and cyber efforts may hinder responses to foreign influence and sabotage.
Key facts
- NSPM‑7 (signed in September) directs federal officers and analysts to target a wide array of activity characterized as "anti‑American."
- Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a memo ordering the FBI to compile lists of Americans whose actions "may constitute domestic terrorism" and to create a cash reward system for public reporting (described as issued "earlier this month").
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection will require visa applicants to provide five years of social media history and collect emails from the past 10 years, phone numbers from the past five, and family details.
- In February the administration ordered agencies to stop enforcing the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and disbanded the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative and KleptoCapture Task Force.
- Attorney General Bondi dissolved the FBI's Foreign Influence Task Force in February.
- Reuters reported in March 2025 that several national security agencies halted coordinated work to counter Russian sabotage, disinformation and cyberattacks.
- The Justice Department ordered prosecutors to drop the corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams, prompting resignations and reassignment within the SDNY.
- The SEC retreated from enforcement against major crypto operators in 2025, dropping cases against firms including Coinbase and Binance.
- Justin Sun invested $75 million in the Trump family's World Liberty Financial tokens; the SEC dropped its case against him in late February 2025 and Tron was taken public via a reverse merger arranged by Dominari Securities.
- President Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao in October; Binance had paid a $4 billion fine and Zhao served a four‑month sentence in 2023.
- In March the Treasury suspended the Corporate Transparency Act, which had required disclosure of companies' beneficial owners.
- Executive Order 14203 (Feb. 6, 2025) authorized sanctions against International Criminal Court officials, and an executive order in September created a "Gold Card" visa path for wealthy investors and companies.
What to watch next
- Congressional oversight or litigation challenging CBP social‑media and data collection policies — not confirmed in the source.
- Investigations or hearings into links between crypto figures, regulatory decisions, and White House contacts — not confirmed in the source.
- Any formal restoration or replacement of disbanded kleptocracy and foreign‑influence units or renewed interagency cybercoordination — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- NSPM‑7: A national security presidential memorandum directing federal authorities to prioritize certain activities designated as national security concerns.
- Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA): U.S. law that prohibits bribery of foreign officials and requires accurate financial recordkeeping by companies.
- Corporate Transparency Act: Federal law designed to require companies to disclose their beneficial owners to curb anonymous shell companies and illicit finance.
- Pardon/Commutation: Clemency actions by the president that can forgive crimes (pardon) or reduce sentences (commutation), altering legal consequences for convicted individuals.
- Foreign Influence Task Force: A law‑enforcement entity intended to detect and counter attempts by foreign governments or actors to influence U.S. politics and institutions.
Reader FAQ
Did the administration restrict social media access for tourists?
The source reports CBP will require visa applicants to provide five years of social media history and other long‑range contact data.
Has enforcement of corruption laws been paused?
In February the administration ordered executive agencies to stop enforcing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, per the source.
Did regulators stop prosecuting major crypto firms?
The SEC dropped several high‑profile crypto cases in 2025, including actions against Coinbase and Binance, according to the source.
Are there investigations into ties between the administration and crypto figures?
Democratic lawmakers have urged investigations into possible ties, but further developments are not confirmed in the source.
December 19, 2025 62 Comments The Trump administration has pursued a staggering range of policy pivots this past year that threaten to weaken the nation’s ability and willingness to address…
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