Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
President Trump signed Proclamation 9821 on September 25, 2019, suspending entry into the United States for senior officials of the Iranian government and their family members. The proclamation barred these individuals from obtaining immigrant or nonimmigrant visas. The direct impact restricted travel to the U.S. for a defined category of Iranian government officials and their immediate family members.
On September 24, 2019, President Trump signed a memorandum delegating functions and authorities under the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development (BUILD) Act of 2018 to the Secretary of State and other officials. The memorandum transferred specific powers related to development finance and international investment promotion from the President to designated agencies. The direct effect was to operationalize the BUILD Act's framework for U.S. international development financing through designated officials rather than direct presidential action.
On September 19, 2019, the Trump administration issued a notice continuing the national emergency declaration with respect to persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism. The continuation extended the existing emergency powers originally declared under this authority. The direct effect maintains emergency authorities that permit the government to use expanded powers related to designations, financial restrictions, and other measures against designated individuals and entities without standard regulatory procedures.
On September 13, 2019, the Trump administration issued Determination 2019-20366 continuing the exercise of authorities under the Trading With the Enemy Act. This determination extends powers permitting the executive branch to regulate financial transactions and trade with designated adversaries. The action maintains restrictions on American business transactions with specified foreign nations and entities.
On September 12, 2019, the Trump administration issued a notice continuing the national emergency declaration originally issued after September 11, 2001. The continuation maintains emergency powers under the National Emergencies Act related to terrorism threats. This preserves the legal basis for executive actions taken under emergency authorities, directly affecting surveillance powers, detention authorities, and government resource allocation tied to the declared emergency.
President Trump signed Executive Order 13886 on September 9, 2019, directing the modernization of sanctions authorities related to terrorism financing. The order revised existing executive authorities to combat terrorist financing and related national security threats. The order delegated authority to the Secretary of State, Secretary of Treasury, and other officials to implement expanded sanctions determinations.
On August 8, 2019, the Trump administration issued Presidential Determination 2019-18595 identifying countries designated as major drug transit or major illicit drug producing countries for Fiscal Year 2020. This determination is required annually under the Foreign Assistance Act and serves as the basis for potential sanctions, including withholding of non-humanitarian foreign aid to designated countries that fail to take adequate steps to combat drug trafficking. The determination directly affects U.S. foreign aid eligibility for identified nations and can impact trade relationships and diplomatic engagement.
On August 5, 2019, President Trump signed Executive Order 13884, which blocked property and interests in property of the Government of Venezuela within U.S. jurisdiction. The order expanded existing sanctions by prohibiting transactions with specified Venezuelan government entities and officials. The direct impact on Americans includes restrictions on U.S. persons and entities conducting business with designated Venezuelan targets, potential effects on Venezuelan expatriates with frozen assets, and involvement of U.S. financial institutions in compliance and enforcement of asset freezes.
On August 1, 2019, President Trump signed Executive Order 13883, which amended Executive Order 12851 regarding the administration of proliferation sanctions. The order modifies the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) processes and expands authority over foreign investment reviews related to proliferation concerns. The direct effect establishes new review mechanisms for foreign transactions involving sensitive technologies and materials related to weapons proliferation.
On July 31, 2019, the Trump administration designated Brazil as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) through a formal determination. This designation grants Brazil preferential status in defense trade, military cooperation, and access to certain U.S. military technologies and equipment. The practical effect on Americans includes potential increases in U.S. military exports to Brazil and closer defense partnerships, though no direct domestic policy changes result from this foreign policy designation.