Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-09733 on April 30, 2018, designating May 2018 as Older Americans Month. The proclamation directs federal recognition of and attention to the contributions and challenges of Americans aged 65 and older. This is an annual ceremonial proclamation with no direct statutory impact on policy or benefits.
On April 30, 2018, President Trump signed Proclamation 9840, imposing a 10% tariff on aluminum imports into the United States, with exceptions for Canada and Mexico. The tariff applied to aluminum in various forms and increased costs for American manufacturers and consumers purchasing aluminum-containing products. The action remained in effect through subsequent administrations with modifications.
On April 30, 2018, President Trump signed a Presidential Determination approving a proposed agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The determination authorized the executive branch to proceed with implementing the bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement. The agreement permits nuclear technology sharing and cooperation on civilian nuclear energy projects between the two countries.
On April 30, 2018, President Trump signed Proclamation 9705 imposing a 25% tariff on steel imports and 10% tariff on aluminum imports into the United States, with limited country exemptions. The tariffs applied to most steel and aluminum products entering U.S. commerce. American consumers and businesses purchasing steel and aluminum products experienced increased costs, and retaliatory tariffs from affected trading partners increased prices on U.S. exports including agricultural goods.
On April 26, 2018, President Trump signed a memorandum directing the certification and release of records related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The memorandum authorized the National Archives to publicly disclose previously withheld documents, with certain redactions permitted for national security, law enforcement, and foreign relations concerns. The action resulted in the release of thousands of JFK assassination-related documents to the public, with some materials remaining redacted or withheld under security exemptions.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-08822 on April 20, 2018, designating National Park Week in the United States. The proclamation calls for celebration and recognition of the nation's parks during the specified week. The proclamation has no direct regulatory or budgetary impact on Americans but serves as an official recognition of the National Park System.
Executive Order 13830 was signed on April 20, 2018, delegating authority to the Secretary of Defense and other officials to approve certain military decorations on behalf of the President. The order transferred approval authority for specific military honors from the President directly to designated executive branch officials. The confirmed effect is that military service members' decoration approvals were processed through delegated officials rather than requiring presidential sign-off for those specific categories.
On April 20, 2018, the Trump administration issued a determination allowing the Organisation Conjointe de Cooperation en Matiere d'Armement (OCCAR), a European defense organization, to receive U.S. defense articles and services under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act. This determination expanded the eligibility of a multinational European defense entity to purchase or receive American military equipment and related services. The direct impact on Americans includes potential increased defense contractor sales to allied European nations through this joint organization.
On April 12, 2018, President Trump signed a memorandum directing federal agencies to review and modify procedures for implementing air quality standards under the Clean Air Act. The memorandum instructed agencies to consider economic impacts and domestic manufacturing competitiveness when implementing air quality regulations. The confirmed effect was to initiate a regulatory review process that extended timelines for certain air quality compliance measures and modified how federal agencies weighed environmental standards against economic factors.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-08172 on April 12, 2018, designating April 14 as Pan American Day and the week of April 8-14, 2018 as Pan American Week. The proclamation calls for recognition of the inter-American community and celebrates the nations of the Western Hemisphere. This is an annual ceremonial proclamation with no direct regulatory impact on Americans.