Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
President Trump signed Proclamation 10850 on May 19, 2017, designating May 20, 2017 as Armed Forces Day. The proclamation calls for Americans to observe the day by honoring and recognizing the military service members of the United States Armed Forces. This is an annual ceremonial proclamation with no direct operational or policy impact on Americans.
On May 17, 2017, President Trump signed a Presidential Determination pursuant to Section 1245(d)(4)(B) and (C) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, authorizing the use of funds for Afghan security forces. This determination allows the Department of Defense to allocate specified funding to support and train Afghan military and police forces. The direct effect is the allocation of congressionally appropriated defense funds to Afghan security operations without requiring additional congressional approval for this specific expenditure.
The Trump administration eased sanctions on Venezuela's state-run financial system to boost the country's economy. Venezuela's government-run bank and financial institutions can now legally use U.S. currency, directly receive oil sales revenue, and reenter the U.S.-controlled global financial system. This action aims to stabilize Venezuela's damaged economy amid public worker protests.
On May 16, 2017, President Trump signed a notice continuing the national emergency with respect to the stabilization of Iraq, originally declared in 2003. The continuation extends the emergency declaration, which authorizes the government to maintain certain powers related to Iraq operations. This action allows the administration to continue invoking emergency authorities for Iraq-related activities without requiring new congressional approval.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2017-10313 on May 15, 2017, designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week of May 14-20 as Police Week. The proclamation honors fallen law enforcement officers and calls for observance of these commemorative dates. It has no direct regulatory impact on Americans but establishes official federal recognition of these observances.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2017-10159 on May 12, 2017, designating a day to honor military spouses. The proclamation declares recognition of military spouses' contributions and sacrifices. As a proclamation, it establishes an official observance day but carries no binding regulatory or budgetary requirements.
President Trump signed Executive Order 13800 on May 11, 2017, directing federal agencies to strengthen cybersecurity protections for federal networks and critical infrastructure systems. The order required agencies to implement new cybersecurity standards, report vulnerabilities, and coordinate defense efforts across government and critical sectors including energy, communications, and financial systems. The order established ongoing federal cybersecurity requirements affecting how agencies protect data systems and infrastructure that Americans depend on for essential services.
On May 9, 2017, President Trump signed a notice continuing the national emergency declaration with respect to the actions of the Government of Syria, originally declared in 2011. The continuation extends existing emergency powers and sanctions related to Syria policy. The declaration allows the executive branch to maintain restrictions on Syrian government transactions and assets under International Emergency Economic Powers Act authority.
On May 8, 2017, the Trump administration issued a notice continuing the national emergency with respect to Yemen, originally declared in 2015. The continuation extends the emergency declaration that authorizes specific executive powers related to Yemen policy. This maintains the legal framework for executive actions concerning Yemen without requiring new Congressional authorization.
President Trump signed Executive Order 13798 on May 4, 2017, directing the Department of the Treasury to issue guidance on the Johnson Amendment, which prohibits tax-exempt organizations including churches from engaging in political campaign activity. The order instructed the IRS not to take enforcement action against tax-exempt organizations based solely on their political speech. The confirmed effect was that religious organizations gained increased latitude to engage in political activity without risking their tax-exempt status.