The article traces the history of privateering in the United States, from letters of marque issued by presidents including John Adams and James Madison against France and Britain, through to its decline as the US Navy grew and its prohibition under international law. It notes that despite privateering being enshrined in the US Constitution, the government has not used the practice since the War of 1812, aside from Confederate use during the Civil War, and that even Founding Fathers such as Benjamin Franklin later argued against it on moral and economic grounds.

The piece then turns to renewed interest in the concept among some current US lawmakers. Senator Mike Lee and Representative Tim Burchett have proposed legislation to authorise modern-day privateering, including a bill last year aimed at combating drug cartels and a further bill this month seeking to apply letters of marque and reprisal to cyber warfare, allowing "digital privateers" to target cybercriminals and foreign adversaries. The provided text is cut off before addressing the article's stated focus on the incoming Space Force chief's scepticism about extending this idea to space.