Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
On March 4, 2019, the Trump administration issued Notice 2019-04120 continuing the national emergency declaration with respect to Ukraine that had been in effect since 2014. The continuation extended emergency powers related to Ukrainian affairs. The direct effect was to maintain executive authorities tied to the Ukraine emergency designation throughout 2019.
Executive Order 13860 was signed on March 4, 2019, directing federal agencies to establish programs supporting the transition of active duty service members and military veterans into merchant marine careers. The order requires the Departments of Defense, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs to coordinate efforts to identify eligible service members, provide training opportunities, and remove barriers to merchant marine employment. The confirmed direct impact includes expanded career pathways for separating service members and veterans seeking civilian maritime employment.
On February 25, 2019, President Trump signed legislation establishing the United States Space Force as a new independent military branch under the Department of the Air Force. The Space Force became the first new military service branch created since the Air Force in 1947, with responsibility for organizing, training, and equipping space forces. The action created approximately 8,400 active duty positions and established a separate command structure for military space operations.
On February 19, 2019, the Trump administration issued a notice continuing the national emergency with respect to Libya, originally declared in 2011. The continuation extended emergency powers related to the Libya situation for an additional year. The action maintained existing executive authorities regarding Libya without implementing new substantive changes to policy or direct domestic programs.
Executive Order 13859 was signed on February 11, 2019, establishing a federal strategy for artificial intelligence research and development. The order directed federal agencies to prioritize AI research funding, remove barriers to AI innovation, and enhance public-private partnerships in AI development. The order established the National AI Initiative to coordinate federal AI efforts across agencies.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2019-01482 on January 31, 2019, designating February 2019 as American Heart Month. The proclamation calls for increased awareness of cardiovascular disease and encourages Americans to learn about heart health risks and prevention. The proclamation has no direct regulatory effect on Americans but serves as an official government recognition of the month for public health awareness purposes.
President Trump signed Executive Order 13858 on January 31, 2019, directing federal agencies to maximize domestic content requirements and Buy-American preferences in infrastructure projects funded by federal dollars. The order requires agencies to increase the percentage of American-made materials and products in federally-funded infrastructure construction and to waive certain exemptions to Buy-American rules. Direct effects include altered procurement standards for infrastructure projects receiving federal funding, potentially increasing costs and timelines for projects while prioritizing domestic suppliers and manufacturers.
On January 25, 2019, President Trump signed Executive Order 13857, declaring that the situation in Venezuela constituted a national emergency and expanding sanctions authorities. The order expanded the ability to impose sanctions on individuals and entities involved in Venezuelan affairs and increased restrictions on transactions with Venezuela. The confirmed direct impact includes expanded financial sanctions on Venezuelan individuals and entities, and restrictions on U.S. persons' ability to engage in certain transactions with Venezuela.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2019-00221 on January 18, 2019, establishing an annual National Sanctity of Human Life Day. The proclamation directs federal observance of the day and calls for reflection on the value of human life. As a proclamation, it has no binding legal effect on policy or law; it is a symbolic statement that does not change regulations, funding, or legal rights.
On January 16, 2019, the Trump administration issued a notice continuing the national emergency declaration regarding terrorists who threaten to disrupt the Middle East peace process. This action extended an existing emergency declaration, maintaining presidential authorities under the National Emergencies Act related to designating and sanctioning individuals and entities posing threats to Middle East peace efforts. The continuation allowed the administration to maintain freezing of assets and travel restrictions for designated individuals under this emergency authority.