Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
On October 18, 2019, President Trump signed Presidential Determination 2019-24196 regarding foreign governments' efforts to combat human trafficking. The determination assesses which countries meet minimum standards for trafficking prevention under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Countries determined to not meet minimum standards may face sanctions including loss of non-humanitarian foreign aid.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2019-23434 on October 18, 2019, designating a week in October as National Character Counts Week. The proclamation calls for Americans to reflect on character values including trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. The proclamation has no direct regulatory effect on Americans but serves as a formal presidential recognition of the observance.
On October 15, 2019, the Trump administration issued a notice continuing the national emergency declaration regarding significant narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia, originally declared in 1995. The continuation extends emergency powers that allow the government to impose sanctions, restrict financial transactions, and control exports related to identified narcotics trafficking organizations. The direct effect on Americans includes potential restrictions on trade with designated entities and increased law enforcement authority related to drug trafficking investigations.
On October 14, 2019, President Trump signed Executive Order 13894, which blocks property and suspends entry of certain persons contributing to the situation in Syria. The order authorizes the Secretary of State and Secretary of the Treasury to identify and sanction individuals and entities involved in Syria-related activities, and restricts their entry into the United States. The order enables targeted financial sanctions and visa denials for specified foreign nationals.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2019-22809 on October 11, 2019, designating October 15, 2019 as National Blind Americans Equality Day. The proclamation acknowledges the contributions and achievements of blind Americans and encourages recognition of their capabilities and rights. As a proclamation, it carries no legal force and produces no direct regulatory impact on Americans.
On October 11, 2019, the Trump administration signed three memoranda (13836, 13837, and 13839) directing changes to paid leave policies for federal employees and federal contractors. These memoranda modified accrual and use of paid leave benefits within federal agencies and for contractors. The confirmed direct impact included alterations to leave policies that affected federal workforce compensation and benefits administration.
Executive Order 13893 was signed on October 10, 2019, reinstating Administrative PAYGO requirements that mandate federal agencies offset the cost of new regulations by eliminating or revising existing regulations of equal or greater cost. The order requires agencies to identify and remove regulations before implementing new ones, directly affecting the regulatory review process for rules that impact Americans across sectors including environment, labor, and consumer protection.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2019-22215 on October 4, 2019, designating October 6, 2019, as German-American Day. The proclamation recognizes the historical contributions of German Americans to the United States. This is a ceremonial proclamation with no direct regulatory or policy impact on Americans.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2019-21617 on September 27, 2019, designating a day to honor mothers and families of fallen military service members. The proclamation establishes an annual observance recognizing Gold Star families. It has no direct regulatory impact on Americans but creates an official federal observance day.
On September 25, 2019, President Trump signed Proclamation 9821 suspending the entry into the United States of persons responsible for policies or actions threatening Venezuela's democratic institutions. The proclamation barred entry of specified Venezuelan government officials and their immediate family members. The direct impact on Americans was limited; the order primarily affected Venezuelan nationals and did not create new domestic restrictions on U.S. citizens.