Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
On March 19, 2017, President Trump signed a memorandum delegating authority under the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act. The memorandum authorized the Secretary of Defense to exercise specified powers granted by Congress under the NDAA. This delegation allowed the Department of Defense to execute statutory authorities without requiring additional presidential approval for certain defense-related actions.
President Trump signed Executive Order 13773 on February 9, 2017, directing federal agencies to enforce existing laws against transnational criminal organizations and international trafficking. The order established a task force to coordinate federal law enforcement efforts and required agencies to prioritize prosecution and prevention activities. The confirmed direct impact includes increased federal coordination on criminal investigations, though specific enforcement statistics and measurable outcomes on trafficking rates require ongoing documentation.
On January 28, 2017, President Trump signed a directive ordering the Department of Defense to develop a comprehensive plan to defeat ISIS within 30 days. The order required the Pentagon to present options for military strategy, resource allocation, and coordination with allies. The confirmed effect was the initiation of a strategic review process that resulted in updated military operations against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, though specific operational changes were not publicly detailed in the initial order.
On January 28, 2017, President Trump signed Executive Order 13782 reorganizing the composition and structure of the National Security Council and Homeland Security Council. The order elevated the White House Chief Strategist to principal committee membership and removed the Director of National Intelligence and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from regular attendee status. The confirmed direct impact included changes to which officials regularly attended these councils' meetings and altered the advisory structure for national security decisions.
On January 27, 2017, President Trump signed Memorandum 2017-02282 directing the Department of Defense to develop a plan to rebuild U.S. military readiness and address what the administration identified as military readiness gaps. The memorandum required the Secretary of Defense to submit a comprehensive military readiness assessment and strategic plan within 30 days. Confirmed effects included increased defense spending proposals and military personnel expansion initiatives in subsequent fiscal years.
On January 23, 2017, President Trump signed a memorandum reinstating the Mexico City Policy, which prohibits U.S. federal funding to foreign non-governmental organizations that perform abortion services or provide information about abortion. The policy eliminates funding to international family planning organizations that include abortion in their services, affecting millions of people in developing countries who rely on these organizations for reproductive healthcare, maternal health, and family planning services.