Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
On January 10, 2020, President Trump signed Executive Order 13902, imposing additional sanctions on Iranian economic sectors. The order expanded existing Iran sanctions to target additional industries beyond those previously sanctioned. The confirmed direct impact includes restrictions on U.S. persons and entities conducting business with designated Iranian sectors, affecting American companies' ability to engage in trade with Iran.
On January 6, 2020, the Trump administration signed Presidential Determination 2020-2473, waiving restrictions on U.S. foreign assistance to Bolivia under Section 706 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003. The waiver eliminated a statutory restriction that had previously limited U.S. aid to Bolivia. This allowed the resumption or continuation of U.S. foreign assistance to Bolivia without the congressionally-mandated conditions that had been in place.
On December 26, 2019, President Trump signed Proclamation 9928 modifying trade preferences under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The proclamation adjusted which African countries and products qualified for preferential trade access to U.S. markets. The direct impact was changes to tariff treatment for specific imports from designated African nations, affecting both U.S. importers and African exporters dependent on preferential trade access.
On December 18, 2019, the Trump administration continued its declaration of a national emergency with respect to serious human rights abuse and corruption, originally issued in December 2017. The continuation extended the emergency declaration for an additional year, maintaining sanctions and restrictions on individuals and entities designated under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The direct effect was the continuation of asset freezes, travel bans, and financial restrictions on designated foreign nationals and organizations involved in human rights violations and corruption.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2019-27525 on December 16, 2019, designating December 17, 2019, as Wright Brothers Day to commemorate the 116th anniversary of the first powered airplane flight. The proclamation directs Americans to observe the day and reflect on the Wright brothers' achievement in aviation. The proclamation has no direct regulatory or programmatic effect on Americans beyond ceremonial recognition.
President Trump signed Executive Order 13898 on November 26, 2019, establishing a federal task force to address missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives. The order directed the Department of Interior, Department of Justice, and other agencies to coordinate efforts, share data, and develop a strategy to address the crisis. The task force was tasked with improving data collection, coordination between tribal and federal law enforcement, and identifying resource gaps in investigations.
On November 25, 2019, President Trump signed a notice continuing the national emergency with respect to the situation in Nicaragua, originally declared in 2018. The continuation extended the emergency declaration and associated authorities for an additional year. The declaration allows the executive branch to maintain sanctions and restrictions related to Nicaragua without requiring new congressional authorization.
On November 19, 2019, the Trump administration continued the national emergency declaration regarding Burundi, originally issued in 2015. The continuation extends restrictions and measures related to the situation in Burundi for an additional year. The direct impact on Americans includes potential travel advisories, restrictions on Burundian nationals, and continued implementation of targeted sanctions and visa policies related to Burundi.
On November 19, 2019, President Trump signed Memorandum 2019-25618 directing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct comprehensive ocean mapping of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone and Alaska's shoreline and nearshore areas. The memorandum established a requirement for federal agencies to prioritize and coordinate ocean mapping efforts to improve maritime navigation, coastal management, and resource assessment. The confirmed effect is that NOAA and participating federal agencies have undertaken systematic bathymetric and topographic surveys of specified ocean and coastal regions.
On November 12, 2019, President Trump signed a notice continuing the national emergency with respect to Iran, originally declared in 1995 and previously renewed. The continuation extends the emergency declaration, which authorizes the president to use powers granted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. This action maintains existing sanctions and restrictions on Iran-related transactions by Americans and entities within U.S. jurisdiction.