As the 2024 elections approach, the spotlight intensifies on national security, economic policy, and safeguarding the integrity of the financial system. One crucial yet often overlooked area that ties all these together is the role of Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD). EDD is a critical process used to protect financial institutions—and, by extension, the country—from bad actors such as terrorists, organized crime syndicates, and other malign influences that seek to exploit our financial infrastructure.
In a time when the stakes have never been higher, EDD represents more than just a bureaucratic mechanism—it is a frontline defense to ensure that those who pose a threat to national security are kept out of our financial systems. This conversation ties directly into the broader theme of national safety, one that resonates deeply with voters who are asking: What more can be done to protect America? Enter “MASA”—Make America Safe Again.
The Role of Enhanced Due Diligence in National Security
EDD is not just a regulatory hurdle; it is a cornerstone in preventing terrorist financing, money laundering, and other financial crimes. Banks and financial institutions have a responsibility under U.S. law to thoroughly investigate high-risk clients and transactions, identifying not just obvious red flags, but also subtle indicators of illicit activities. The Patriot Act, specifically, heightened these requirements post-9/11, signaling a shift in how financial institutions must conduct business in a globalized world where threats transcend borders.
In the United States, EDD becomes even more critical as the country navigates geopolitical tensions, foreign influence on domestic issues, and the rise of cybercrime. The threat landscape is no longer limited to physical borders. Terrorist organizations and other criminal networks leverage digital channels, cryptocurrencies, and even shell companies to fund their operations. Each unchecked transaction can open the door for potential attacks or further entrench the influence of these bad actors.
In the context of the upcoming election, this creates a policy battleground. Voters are increasingly concerned about safety—both physical and financial. They want to know how their elected officials will ensure that those with ill intent will not gain access to critical financial networks that could destabilize the economy or endanger lives.
How Financial Crimes Influence Policy and Voter Sentiment
Financial crimes do not exist in a vacuum. They are often the undercurrent of larger societal issues—funding terrorism, human trafficking, and drug cartels. Each time a criminal entity infiltrates the U.S. financial system, it poses a direct risk to American citizens. The consequences are multifaceted: from financing extremist organizations to destabilizing communities with illicit drugs, the ripple effects are felt far beyond Wall Street.
This is why financial policy, and in particular the enforcement of robust EDD measures, plays a significant role in shaping the political landscape. Candidates who promise to tighten these regulations and bolster the tools available to regulators and financial institutions to combat bad actors will likely gain traction among voters who prioritize safety and security.
Further, as financial crimes evolve, so too must policy. A proactive stance on EDD can help future-proof America’s financial system, especially in the face of emerging technologies like cryptocurrency and decentralized finance (DeFi), which bad actors increasingly exploit. The regulatory framework must keep pace with innovation to ensure that terrorists and other criminals don’t use these platforms to bypass traditional scrutiny.
MASA—Make America Safe Again: A Call for Stronger Financial Security
In this election cycle, the concept of “MASA”—Make America Safe Again—becomes more relevant than ever. While traditionally associated with physical security and military strength, the idea of “safety” must now extend to our financial system. Voters want to know that the institutions they trust with their money are equipped with the right tools and policies to keep criminals out. This means enforcing and expanding EDD measures to adapt to the new realities of financial crime.
MASA isn’t just a campaign slogan; it’s a vision for the future. It’s about ensuring that terrorists, money launderers, and other bad actors have no place in America’s economy. It’s about protecting American citizens from the financial predators who exploit gaps in the system for their own gain. Most importantly, it’s about preserving the integrity of our financial and national security infrastructures for future generations.
The Road Ahead: EDD and the Future of the Country
Looking beyond the election, the future of Enhanced Due Diligence will hinge on policy decisions made now. Voters have the opportunity to elect leaders who will not only strengthen national security but also bring our financial defenses into the 21st century. By expanding the scope of EDD and leveraging new technologies like AI, America can outsmart the criminals who adapt their tactics faster than ever before.
As the 2024 elections draw closer, we must ask ourselves a critical question: What kind of future do we want for America? A future where terrorists can launder money through our institutions, or one where we’ve built an impenetrable financial system, capable of thwarting even the most sophisticated criminals?
Through EDD, financial institutions have the power to make a real impact. Through policy, elected officials have the power to make that impact lasting. And through their votes, the American people have the power to make America safe again—financially, socially, and globally.
MASA—Make America Safe Again.
