Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-20089 on September 10, 2018, designating September 11 as Patriot Day. The proclamation directs flags to be flown at half-staff and calls for a moment of silence in remembrance of those killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks. The proclamation has no direct regulatory impact on Americans but establishes an annual observance.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-20012 on September 7, 2018, designating national days of prayer and remembrance. The proclamation calls for Americans to observe designated days through prayer and remembrance activities. The proclamation has no direct operational impact on federal programs or American legal rights.
On August 31, 2018, President Trump signed a memorandum delegating authorities under the Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development (READ) Act. The memorandum assigned specific implementation and enforcement responsibilities for the READ Act to designated federal agencies and officials. The confirmed direct impact was the establishment of delegated agency authority to administer provisions of the READ Act affecting U.S. foreign education assistance programs.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-19513 on August 31, 2018, designating the first Monday in September as Labor Day. The proclamation is an annual ceremonial declaration recognizing the contributions of American workers. It carries no regulatory changes or direct policy impact on Americans' labor rights or employment conditions.
President Trump signed Executive Order 13847 on August 31, 2018, directing the Department of Labor to expand access to retirement savings plans for small businesses and self-employed workers through Association Retirement Accounts (ARAs). The order simplified regulations to allow small employers to pool resources and offer 401(k)-style plans with reduced compliance costs. The confirmed direct effect was increased eligibility for small business employees to access employer-sponsored retirement savings options previously available primarily to larger corporations.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-19283 on August 29, 2018, imposing a 25% tariff on aluminum imported into the United States under national security authority. The tariff applied to aluminum from all countries except Canada. American manufacturers using imported aluminum faced increased input costs, which were passed to consumers through higher prices for vehicles, appliances, construction materials, and other aluminum-containing products.
President Trump signed a memorandum on August 23, 2018, directing the modernization of how the United States reimburses international postal partners for delivered goods and enhancing security protocols for international mail. The memorandum instructed the State Department and Postal Service to review and adjust reimbursement models with foreign postal administrations. The confirmed effect was a directive to renegotiate postal payment arrangements, which affected rates and procedures for international mail delivery to and from the United States.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-18306 on August 17, 2018, establishing National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week. The proclamation designates a week to recognize employers who support members of the National Guard and Reserve. The proclamation has no direct operational impact on Americans but serves as an official recognition of employer support for military service members.
On August 8, 2018, the Trump administration issued Notice 2018-17465 continuing the national emergency declaration with respect to export control regulations. This action extends an existing emergency declaration affecting U.S. export controls on certain technologies and materials. The continuation maintains restrictions on exports of items deemed to affect national security, directly impacting American companies engaged in international trade, technology exports, and manufacturing sectors reliant on foreign sales.
On August 6, 2018, President Trump signed Executive Order 13846, which reimposed certain sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The order reinstated sanctions targeting Iran's automotive sector, metals, mining, and other industries, as well as its access to the U.S. financial system. The direct effect on Americans included increased restrictions on U.S. companies' ability to conduct business with Iran, potential impacts on global oil prices and inflation, and changes to foreign policy obligations.