Trump blames Minnesota for cyberattack that federal officials suspect Iran committed

President Donald Trump denies Iran's involvement in a recent cyberattack on Minnesota's water systems, instead blaming Gov. Tim Walz without evidence. U.S. officials suspect Iranian hackers are likely responsible for the attacks, which affected over 30 Minnesota utilities and systems in at least six other states. Walz accused Trump of hiding the attack's full scope and weakening U.S. cyber-defenses.

Trump's Iran cyberattack denial

• ▪At a July 31 Cabinet meeting, President Donald Trump blamed the cyberattack on Minnesota and its "corrupt governor," Tim Walz.
• ▪President Donald Trump stated he does not believe Iran was responsible for a recent cyberattack on Minnesota's water systems.
• ▪President Donald Trump did not provide any evidence to support his accusation against Minnesota.

Minnesota water systems attack

• ▪A cyberattack on July 26 and 27 targeted the operational technology of more than 30 municipal water systems in Minnesota.
• ▪The cyberattacks have not been limited to Minnesota; the FBI reports at least seven states have seen attacks on municipal water systems in the last week.
• ▪U.S. and Minnesota officials suspect Iranian hackers were likely responsible for the attack, but have not made a definitive determination.

Walz response to Trump

• ▪Governor Tim Walz stated the cyberattack is "what modern warfare looks like" and shows the U.S. has "no plan to win a war with Iran."
• ▪Minnesota Governor Tim Walz accused President Trump of knowing who was responsible for the attack and that other states were also targeted.

Iranian hacking history

• ▪The U.S. is five months into a war with Iran, which began after President Trump launched airstrikes in late February.
• ▪Federal agencies have previously warned of cyber threats to U.S. water systems from foreign groups, including Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
• ▪A CISA advisory from April 7, with a July 22 update, warned of Iranian-affiliated hackers targeting industrial control devices from multiple manufacturers.

CISA budget cuts

• ▪Walz asserted that the Department of Government Efficiency "took an axe to CISA and left the U.S. exposed to cyberattacks."
• ▪Governor Tim Walz blamed Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for gutting the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

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