The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee Hearing Spotlights BurmaLinked Online Scam Networks as a Growing U.S. National Security Threat; BRI Calls on Trump Administration to Take Action
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ELLICOTT CITY, MD — Today, the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific convened a hearing on “Implementing an America First Approach in the East Asia and Pacific Region.”Assistant Secretary of State Michael G. DeSombre testified before Subcommittee Chairwoman Young Kim (R-CA-40) and Ranking Member Ami Bera (D-CA-6), who raised deep concerns about Burma’s ongoing civil war during both their opening statements and question sessions.
Assistant Secretary DeSombre underscored the growing threat of Burma-linked online scam networks, noting that losses reached $12.5 billion in 2025 — a 25% increase from 2024. He further affirmed the administration’s openness to engaging all stakeholders to end the conflict in Burma.
Burma Research Institute (BRI) President and CEO Zo Tum Hmung, who joined remotely, welcomed the subcommittee’s bipartisan focus on Burma. “We are grateful to Rep. Kim and Rep. Bera for their continued bipartisan efforts to end the crisis in Burma,” said Zo Tum Hmung. “We call on the Trump administration to take meaningful action without further delay to support the establishment of a federal democratic union in Burma. Such action will not only hold the Burmese military accountable for its ongoing atrocities but also advance critical U.S. national security interests, including dismantling online scam networks and countering China’s growing influence.”
“I welcome Secretary Rubio’s reaffirmation of the U.S. preference for democracy in Burma,” Zo Tum Hmung added. “The Min Aung Hlaing-led Burmese military seized power from the people of Burma in February 2021. The Administration must now support its stated preference for democracy with decisive action.”