Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
President Trump signed a law authorizing automatic registration of most young men into the military draft pool, effective December 2024. The change expands the Selective Service registration system without direct connection to current military operations. Young men will be automatically enrolled unless they opt out.
The Trump administration directed the Pentagon to cut thousands of U.S. military personnel stationed across Europe, including forces that were scheduled to deploy to Poland. This action reduces the American military presence on the continent and affects NATO alliance commitments and European security partnerships.
On September 21, 2020, President Trump signed Executive Order 13949, which blocked property and assets of persons determined to be involved in Iran's conventional arms activities. The order authorizes the Treasury Department to identify and sanction individuals and entities involved in Iranian arms sales and transfers. The direct effect on Americans includes restrictions on U.S. persons conducting financial transactions with designated entities and potential impacts on companies engaged in trade involving sanctioned Iranian arms actors.
On September 18, 2020, the Trump administration continued the national emergency declaration with respect to persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism. The notice (2020-21059) extended the existing emergency authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The continuation maintains executive authority to regulate transactions and freeze assets related to terrorism designations without requiring new congressional approval.
On September 10, 2020, the Trump administration issued a notice continuing the national emergency declaration originally issued after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The continuation extends the emergency declaration's authorities, which enable the government to utilize emergency powers related to defense, military deployment, and executive actions without standard Congressional approval processes. The continued declaration maintains expansive executive authority in national security matters and keeps emergency-related provisions in effect.
On September 9, 2020, the Trump administration issued a determination continuing the exercise of authorities under the Trading With the Enemy Act. The determination extended existing executive powers to restrict trade and financial transactions with designated foreign entities and nations. The action maintained ongoing restrictions on Americans' ability to conduct certain commercial and financial transactions with specified countries and entities.
On September 2, 2020, the Trump administration signed a memorandum delegating authority to submit notifications and explanations to Congress regarding the U.S.-International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards agreement. The memorandum authorized the delegation of specific congressional notification requirements related to the ratification of the IAEA safeguards accord for the United States. This action streamlined the administrative process for transmitting required nuclear safeguards documentation to Congress.
On August 13, 2020, the Trump administration issued Notice 2020-18016 continuing the national emergency declaration with respect to export control regulations. The notice extends the existing emergency authority that allows the administration to regulate exports of certain goods and technologies without standard congressional approval processes. The continuation maintains expanded executive power over export licensing and control determinations for items deemed related to national security.
President Trump signed Executive Order 13943 on August 6, 2020, declaring a national emergency regarding information and communications technology and services supply chain threats, specifically targeting WeChat. The order prohibited transactions with WeChat and required the Secretary of Commerce to identify other ICT services posing national security risks within 45 days. The order's implementation was blocked by federal courts before the effective date, preventing the WeChat transaction ban from taking effect.
On July 29, 2020, the Trump administration issued a notice continuing the national emergency with respect to Lebanon, originally declared in 1976. The continuation extends the emergency declaration, which authorizes the President to exercise powers under the National Emergencies Act. The declaration affects U.S. government authority regarding financial transactions, asset freezing, and sanctions related to Lebanon.