Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-07775 on April 6, 2018, designating a day of recognition for former prisoners of war. The proclamation directs federal observance of this day to honor Americans who were held as prisoners of war. The proclamation establishes an annual recognition observance but carries no direct operational impact on federal policy, benefits, or services.
On April 6, 2018, President Trump signed a memorandum (2018-07962) directing the Department of Homeland Security to end the practice of releasing migrants apprehended at the border while their cases were pending. The memorandum instructed DHS to detain individuals pending immigration proceedings rather than release them. The confirmed effect was increased detention of migrants, including families, at the southern border.
On April 4, 2018, President Trump signed a memorandum delegating authorities under Section 3136 of the FY2018 National Defense Authorization Act. This delegation authorized specified executive branch officials to exercise powers related to defense matters as outlined in that section of the NDAA. The confirmed direct impact includes transfer of specific decision-making authority from the President to named officials within the Department of Defense and related agencies.
President Trump signed a notice on April 4, 2018, continuing the national emergency declaration with respect to Somalia that was originally declared in 1992. The continuation extends federal emergency authorities related to Somalia for an additional year. The declaration enables the U.S. government to maintain certain sanctions, travel restrictions, and asset freezes targeting individuals and entities designated as threats related to Somalia.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-07253 on April 3, 2018, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination on April 4, 1968. The proclamation is a ceremonial document that acknowledges the historical event and calls for reflection. Proclamations have no direct operational impact on Americans but serve as official government recognition of significant dates or causes.
President Trump signed Proclamation 10692 on March 29, 2018, designating April 2018 as National Donate Life Month. The proclamation calls for Americans to recognize organ, eye, and tissue donation and encourages participation in donation programs. The proclamation has no direct regulatory effect on Americans but serves as a formal statement encouraging voluntary donation participation during the designated month.
On March 27, 2018, the Trump administration signed a notice continuing the national emergency declared in 2015 regarding significant malicious cyber-enabled activities originating from, or directed by, Russia. The continuation extends the emergency declaration that authorizes sanctions and restrictions on entities and individuals engaged in cyber attacks against U.S. infrastructure and institutions. The declaration remains in effect, allowing the executive branch to maintain existing cyber-related sanctions and take additional actions against designated cyber threat actors.
On March 27, 2018, the Trump administration issued a notice continuing the national emergency with respect to South Sudan, originally declared in 2014. The continuation extends the emergency declaration, which authorizes specific executive powers related to South Sudan policy. The direct impact on Americans includes potential restrictions on financial transactions with designated South Sudanese entities and individuals, and affects U.S. foreign aid and diplomatic engagement with South Sudan.
On March 22, 2018, President Trump signed a memorandum directing the U.S. Trade Representative to investigate China's laws, policies, practices, and actions related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The investigation resulted in findings of unfair Chinese practices and led to the implementation of tariffs on Chinese goods beginning July 2018. American consumers and businesses faced increased costs on thousands of imported products, including electronics, machinery, and consumer goods.
On March 22, 2018, President Trump signed Proclamation 10017 imposing a 25% tariff on aluminum imports into the United States under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. The proclamation took effect on March 23, 2018, and increased prices on aluminum-containing products for American consumers and manufacturers, including automobiles, beverage cans, construction materials, and appliances. The tariff remained in effect through Trump's first term and into subsequent administrations with limited modifications.