Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
On October 11, 2019, the Trump administration signed three memoranda (13836, 13837, and 13839) directing changes to paid leave policies for federal employees and federal contractors. These memoranda modified accrual and use of paid leave benefits within federal agencies and for contractors. The confirmed direct impact included alterations to leave policies that affected federal workforce compensation and benefits administration.
Executive Order 13893 was signed on October 10, 2019, reinstating Administrative PAYGO requirements that mandate federal agencies offset the cost of new regulations by eliminating or revising existing regulations of equal or greater cost. The order requires agencies to identify and remove regulations before implementing new ones, directly affecting the regulatory review process for rules that impact Americans across sectors including environment, labor, and consumer protection.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2019-22215 on October 4, 2019, designating October 6, 2019, as German-American Day. The proclamation recognizes the historical contributions of German Americans to the United States. This is a ceremonial proclamation with no direct regulatory or policy impact on Americans.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2019-21617 on September 27, 2019, designating a day to honor mothers and families of fallen military service members. The proclamation establishes an annual observance recognizing Gold Star families. It has no direct regulatory impact on Americans but creates an official federal observance day.
On September 25, 2019, President Trump signed Proclamation 9821 suspending the entry into the United States of persons responsible for policies or actions threatening Venezuela's democratic institutions. The proclamation barred entry of specified Venezuelan government officials and their immediate family members. The direct impact on Americans was limited; the order primarily affected Venezuelan nationals and did not create new domestic restrictions on U.S. citizens.
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.
Executive Order 13887 was signed on September 19, 2019, directing federal agencies to modernize influenza vaccine development and manufacturing to improve effectiveness and reduce production timelines. The order established a task force to accelerate development of next-generation flu vaccines and streamline regulatory approval processes. The confirmed direct impact includes accelerated research funding and regulatory pathways for influenza vaccine innovation, though widespread deployment of modernized vaccines occurred after the order's implementation period.
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.