Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed Proclamation 9735 to modify trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The proclamation adjusted certain trade preferences and eligibility criteria under AGOA. The confirmed direct impact included changes to tariff treatment and trade access for eligible African nations and affected imports into the United States.
President Trump signed Executive Order 13818 on December 20, 2017, authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to block the property and assets of persons involved in serious human rights abuse or corruption. The order established a sanctions regime allowing the U.S. government to designate foreign individuals and entities for asset freezes and transaction prohibitions. Americans are prohibited from conducting financial transactions with designated individuals and entities, and financial institutions must comply with blocking orders.
On December 6, 2017, President Trump signed Presidential Determination 2017-28027, which suspended the limitations imposed by the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995. The determination invoked the president's authority to waive the requirement that the U.S. Embassy in Israel be relocated to Jerusalem, allowing the administration to delay the relocation. The administration later moved the embassy to Jerusalem in May 2018.
On December 6, 2017, President Trump signed Proclamation 2017-26832 recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and directing the State Department to relocate the United States Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The proclamation reversed decades of U.S. policy that had withheld recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital pending final status negotiations. The relocation process began immediately, with the embassy formally opening in Jerusalem on May 14, 2018, affecting U.S. diplomatic operations in the region and U.S. policy positions in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
On December 4, 2017, President Trump signed Memorandum 2017-28026 delegating authority under sections 506(a)(2)(A) and 652 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to the Secretary of State. This memorandum authorized the Secretary of State to exercise specific powers related to foreign assistance decisions and emergency assistance determinations. The direct effect was to transfer decision-making authority on certain foreign aid allocations and humanitarian assistance from the President to the State Department.
On November 21, 2017, President Trump signed Memorandum 2017-25845 delegating authority under the Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act of 2016. The memorandum transferred specified implementation powers to executive branch officials. The confirmed effect was to shift administrative responsibility for foreign aid transparency reporting from Congress-designated oversight mechanisms to presidential delegation.
On November 15, 2017, President Trump issued a presidential determination pursuant to Section 1245(d)(4)(B) and (C) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. This determination invoked authority to waive certain restrictions on military assistance and cooperation. The specific statutory provisions activated allow the President to determine applicability of defense authorization conditions, affecting military aid eligibility determinations for foreign governments.
President Trump signed Proclamation 9686 on November 10, 2017, designating a year-long period to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The proclamation calls for recognition of the war's significance and honors those who served. It establishes no new government programs or funding but designates 2017-2018 as an official commemoration period.
On November 8, 2017, President Trump signed Proclamation 2017-24807 establishing World Freedom Day as a national observance. The proclamation designates November 9 annually to recognize the fall of the Berlin Wall and celebrate human freedom worldwide. The proclamation has no direct regulatory impact on Americans but establishes an annual day of recognition.
On November 6, 2017, President Trump signed a notice continuing the national emergency with respect to Iran originally declared in 1979. The continuation renews authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to maintain economic sanctions and restrictions on Iran. The action directly affects Americans by continuing prohibitions on transactions with Iran, limitations on Iranian asset access in U.S. financial systems, and restrictions on Iranian individuals and entities operating in U.S. commerce.