Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
Executive Order 13940 was signed on August 3, 2020. The order directed federal agencies to prioritize hiring American workers and to modify federal contracting procedures to align with domestic workforce interests. The confirmed direct effect included revised hiring guidelines for federal positions and changes to contracting evaluation criteria at federal agencies during the remainder of the 2020 fiscal year.
On August 3, 2020, President Trump signed Memorandum 2020-17370 extending the use of National Guard personnel to respond to COVID-19 and support economic recovery efforts. The memorandum continued the deployment of National Guard units that had been activated under prior directives. The extension maintained National Guard assistance in states for pandemic response activities during the period specified.
President Trump signed Executive Order 13941 on August 3, 2020, directing federal agencies to expand telehealth services and improve healthcare access in rural areas. The order required the Department of Health and Human Services and other agencies to identify regulatory barriers to telehealth expansion and submit recommendations for removal. The confirmed direct effect included temporary flexibilities for Medicare telehealth coverage during the COVID-19 public health emergency, which allowed rural Americans to access certain medical services remotely without in-person visits.
On July 29, 2020, the Trump administration issued a notice continuing the national emergency with respect to Lebanon, originally declared in 1976. The continuation extends the emergency declaration, which authorizes the President to exercise powers under the National Emergencies Act. The declaration affects U.S. government authority regarding financial transactions, asset freezing, and sanctions related to Lebanon.
On July 29, 2020, the Trump administration authorized the Kansas City Southern Railway Company to construct, connect, operate, and maintain railway bridge facilities at the international boundary between the United States and Mexico. The authorization permits the company to build and maintain cross-border rail infrastructure at a specified location on the US-Mexico border. The direct effect allows increased rail transport capacity between the two countries at this crossing point.
On July 29, 2020, the Trump administration signed an authorization allowing TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P. to operate and maintain existing pipeline facilities at the international boundary between the United States and Canada. The action permits continued operation of pipeline infrastructure at the US-Canada border crossing. The direct effect was to enable ongoing crude oil transport across the US-Canada border through existing Keystone Pipeline facilities.
President Trump signed Proclamation 10029 on July 24, 2020, establishing the Korean War Veterans Armistice Day to be observed annually on July 27. The proclamation designates a day for Americans to honor Korean War veterans and those who died in the conflict. The proclamation creates an annual observance but does not establish a federal holiday.
On July 24, 2020, President Trump signed Executive Order 13937, directing the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a Most Favored Nation (MFN) model for Medicare drug pricing. The order required Medicare to pay no more for drugs than the lowest price paid in other developed nations. The rule was implemented in November 2020 but was blocked by federal courts before taking effect, and was subsequently rescinded by the Biden administration in 2021.
On July 24, 2020, President Trump signed Executive Order 13938 directing the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a program permitting the importation of FDA-approved drugs from Canada and other countries at lower prices. The order instructed HHS to create a Safe Importation Action Plan within 30 days. As of early 2021, HHS had not implemented a functional importation program, though the administration issued guidance on the policy direction.
Executive Order 13939 was signed on July 24, 2020, directing the Department of Health and Human Services to issue a safe harbor rule removing anti-kickback protections for rebates in drug pricing negotiations. The order aimed to increase price transparency by allowing pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacy benefit managers, and health plans to negotiate rebates directly. The confirmed effect was that HHS issued a proposed rule in January 2021 to modify anti-kickback statute safe harbors, though implementation faced legal challenges and the rule's real-world impact on patient drug prices remained subject to ongoing litigation.