Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
On July 26, 2019, President Trump signed Proclamation 2019-16558 establishing July 27 as Korean War Veterans Armistice Day to commemorate the armistice signed on July 27, 1953. The proclamation designates an annual day of recognition for Korean War veterans and calls for appropriate ceremonies and observances. The direct effect is the establishment of an annual commemorative day recognized by the federal government.
On July 26, 2019, President Trump signed Executive Order 13882, blocking property and suspending entry of certain persons contributing to the situation in Mali. The order authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to block assets within U.S. jurisdiction of designated individuals and entities, and the Secretary of State to deny visa issuance and revoke visas for targeted persons. The confirmed direct effect is that designated individuals and entities cannot access U.S. financial systems or property, and designated individuals are barred from entering the United States.
On July 26, 2019, President Trump signed Memorandum 2019-16497 directing U.S. trade representatives to challenge countries claiming developing-nation status at the World Trade Organization, particularly China and India. The memorandum instructed officials to refuse special trade concessions granted to developing countries for nations with large economies or high export volumes. The direct impact on Americans included potential changes to tariff treatment on imported goods and shifts in U.S. trade negotiation strategy, though implementation effects varied by sector and trading partner response.
On July 22, 2019, the Trump administration continued the national emergency declaration regarding transnational criminal organizations, originally declared in 2011. The continuation extends the emergency declaration's legal authority, allowing the government to maintain related enforcement operations and resource allocation under emergency powers. This declaration has been used to justify various law enforcement and border security operations.
On July 22, 2019, the Trump administration issued a Presidential Determination under Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, invoking authority to prioritize contracts and allocate materials for national defense purposes. The determination authorized expedited procurement and allocation of specified materials and resources deemed necessary for defense production. The confirmed direct effect was to grant the administration power to direct industrial production priorities and contract awards in sectors related to national defense.
On July 19, 2019, the Trump administration issued Determination 2019-16862 to continue U.S. drug interdiction assistance to the Government of Colombia. The determination authorized ongoing financial and operational support for Colombian counter-narcotics efforts. The confirmed direct impact includes sustained funding for joint U.S.-Colombian drug enforcement operations targeting trafficking organizations.
On July 19, 2019, President Trump signed a memorandum delegating authority under the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018 (ARIA). The memorandum authorized the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to exercise powers granted by ARIA, including authority over security assistance and military aid to Indo-Pacific allies. This delegation enabled expedited decision-making on military support and diplomatic initiatives in the region without requiring additional presidential approval for each action.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2019-15989 on July 19, 2019, designating the week of July 21-27, 2019 as Captive Nations Week. The proclamation calls for observance of the week to honor nations and peoples under authoritarian rule and to recognize those seeking freedom and self-determination. As a proclamation, it is a symbolic designation with no direct regulatory or legislative effect on American citizens.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2019-15991 on July 19, 2019, designating July 20-21, 2019 as a national observance of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing. The proclamation called for Americans to observe the anniversary and reflect on the Apollo program's achievements. The proclamation had no direct regulatory or policy impact on Americans beyond ceremonial recognition.
President Trump signed Executive Order 13881 on July 15, 2019, directing federal agencies to maximize procurement of American-made goods, products, and materials in government contracting. The order required agencies to revise procurement policies and preferences to prioritize domestic products and set goals for American-made purchases. The confirmed effect includes changes to federal contracting practices that increased evaluation criteria favoring domestic suppliers in government purchasing decisions.