Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
On July 30, 2018, President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-16725 to take certain actions under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The proclamation modified trade preferences and eligibility determinations under AGOA. The confirmed effect was changes to tariff treatment and trade benefits for designated African countries and specific product categories imported into the United States.
On July 27, 2018, the Trump administration continued the national emergency declaration with respect to Lebanon, originally declared in 1997 and renewed annually. The continuation maintains emergency powers related to Lebanese affairs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The direct effect on Americans includes potential restrictions on transactions with designated Lebanese entities and individuals, and continued authority for executive branch actions regarding Lebanon-related sanctions and foreign policy measures.
On July 26, 2018, President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-16555 designating July 27 as National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, commemorating the armistice agreement signed on July 27, 1953. The proclamation establishes an annual observance to honor Korean War veterans. The direct impact on Americans is the official recognition of this annual commemorative day in the federal record.
On July 20, 2018, the Trump administration continued the national emergency declaration with respect to transnational criminal organizations originally declared in 2011. The continuation extended the emergency powers and authorities already in place under the existing declaration. The direct effect was the maintenance of federal resources and coordinating mechanisms directed at transnational criminal organizations, without initiating new emergency authorities.
On July 20, 2018, the Trump administration issued Determination 2018-17261 authorizing the continuation of U.S. drug interdiction assistance to the Government of Colombia. The determination maintained existing military and law enforcement support for counter-narcotics operations. The direct effect was the continuation of funding and operational support for joint U.S.-Colombian drug interdiction efforts already in place.
On July 19, 2018, President Trump signed Executive Order 13845 establishing the President's National Council for the American Worker. The order created a council directed to coordinate federal workforce training and apprenticeship programs across agencies, with the goal of expanding career pathways outside traditional four-year college degrees. The confirmed direct impact includes the formation of an interagency council tasked with developing recommendations on workforce development policy, though measurable enrollment or employment outcomes from the council's activities have not been independently verified.
Executive Order 13844 was signed on July 11, 2018, establishing a Task Force on Market Integrity and Consumer Fraud within the Department of Justice. The task force was directed to investigate and prosecute financial fraud, including securities fraud, commodities fraud, and related offenses. The confirmed direct impact includes DOJ prioritizing investigation and prosecution of specified fraud cases, though measurable effects on consumer fraud rates or prosecution numbers require review of DOJ enforcement data.
On July 10, 2018, President Trump signed Executive Order 13842, which established an exception to federal competitive examining rules for certain positions within the United States Marshals Service at the Department of Justice. The order allows the Marshals Service to appoint individuals to specified positions without following standard competitive civil service procedures. This changes the hiring process for affected positions within the federal law enforcement agency.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-14744 on July 3, 2018, honoring the victims of a shooting at the Capital Gazette newspaper office in Annapolis, Maryland on June 28, 2018. The proclamation is a ceremonial declaration expressing condolences and directing flags to be flown at half-staff. Proclamations of this type have no direct operational impact on federal policy or American citizens' rights or services.
On June 22, 2018, the Trump administration issued a notice continuing the national emergency with respect to North Korea, originally declared in 2008. The continuation extends the state of emergency that authorizes specific powers and restrictions related to North Korea without requiring new congressional action. The direct impact includes ongoing enforcement of sanctions, trade restrictions, and regulatory measures targeting North Korean entities and individuals under emergency authority.