Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
President Trump signed Proclamation 9327 on April 30, 2019, designating May 1, 2019 as Loyalty Day. The proclamation calls for Americans to reaffirm loyalty to the United States and encourages display of the flag. As a proclamation, it has no direct regulatory effect on Americans but serves as an official statement designating the observance.
On April 29, 2019, the Trump administration issued Presidential Determination 2019-10472 pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, which allows the president to determine processing requirements for Afghan nationals who worked with U.S. forces. This determination established procedures for Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) eligibility and vetting for Afghan interpreters and support staff. The direct effect was to set the framework for how Afghan visa applicants would be processed and vetted before admission to the United States.
On April 24, 2019, President Trump signed Executive Order 13869 transferring responsibility for conducting federal background investigations from the Office of Personnel Management to the Department of Defense. The order consolidated background investigation functions under DoD authority. The confirmed effect was a structural shift in how federal background checks for security clearances and employment are conducted, moving this function from a civilian agency to a military department.
President Trump signed a memorandum on April 22, 2019 (Document 2019-09470) directing federal agencies to reduce visa overstays by nonimmigrants through enhanced tracking, reporting, and enforcement mechanisms. The memorandum required the Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Justice to implement stricter monitoring of visa holders and increase consequences for overstaying. The confirmed direct effects included expanded data collection on visa compliance and increased coordination between agencies on enforcement actions against individuals remaining in the U.S. beyond authorized stay periods.
President Trump signed Proclamation 9912 on April 12, 2019, designating April 14, 2019 as Pan American Day and the week of April 14-20, 2019 as Pan American Week. The proclamation calls for the observance and celebration of the cultures, histories, and achievements of the countries of the Americas. This is an annual ceremonial proclamation with no direct policy or regulatory effect on Americans.
On April 10, 2019, the Trump administration issued a notice continuing the national emergency with respect to Somalia, originally declared in 1992. The continuation extended the emergency declaration and its associated powers for an additional year. The declaration allows the federal government to maintain specified authorities related to Somalia, including sanctions and restrictions on financial transactions.
President Trump signed Executive Order 13867 on April 10, 2019, directing expedited issuance of permits for facilities and land transportation crossings at U.S. international boundaries. The order streamlined the permitting process for border crossing infrastructure by reducing review timelines and consolidating agency approvals. The confirmed direct effect was acceleration of permit decisions for ports of entry and border infrastructure projects that would have otherwise followed standard multi-year review procedures.
On April 10, 2019, President Trump signed Executive Order 13868 titled 'Promoting Energy Infrastructure and Economic Growth.' The order directed federal agencies to expedite permitting timelines for energy infrastructure projects, including pipelines, electrical transmission lines, and related facilities, by reducing review periods and coordinating agency actions. The confirmed effect was acceleration of federal approval processes for energy projects, reducing the time required for environmental reviews and agency sign-offs on designated energy infrastructure.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2019-07525 on April 8, 2019, designating a national day of recognition for former prisoners of war. The proclamation directs federal recognition and observance of former POWs. The direct impact on Americans is symbolic recognition through federal proclamation; it does not create new legal rights, benefits, or programs.
On April 1, 2019, the Trump administration continued the national emergency declaration with respect to South Sudan, originally established in 2014. The notice extended the emergency declaration, which authorizes the government to respond to the humanitarian and security crisis in South Sudan under emergency powers. This continuation allows the administration to maintain certain executive authorities related to South Sudan policy without requiring new congressional action.