Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-06963 on June 8, 2018, designating June 14, 2018 as Flag Day and the week of June 10-16, 2018 as National Flag Week. The proclamation calls for Americans to display the U.S. flag and reflect on the flag's significance. This is an annual ceremonial proclamation with no direct regulatory impact on Americans.
On June 8, 2018, the Trump administration issued a notice continuing the national emergency declared with respect to actions and policies of certain members of the Government of Belarus and other persons to undermine democratic processes or institutions of Belarus. The continuation extended the existing emergency declaration, maintaining sanctions and restrictions related to Belarus. The direct impact on Americans includes potential restrictions on transactions with designated Belarusian entities and individuals, and limitations on certain import/export activities involving Belarus.
On June 4, 2018, the Trump administration signed a memorandum delegating authority under Section 709 of the Department of State Authorities Act, Fiscal Year 2017. This memorandum transferred specific decision-making powers regarding state department operations to designated officials. The confirmed direct impact allows the state department to streamline internal authority structures and expedite decision-making processes on matters under Section 709's purview.
On June 4, 2018, President Trump signed a determination (2018-14487) suspending the limitations in the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 that required the U.S. Embassy in Israel to be located in Jerusalem. This suspension removed the statutory requirement that had previously allowed presidents to waive the law's mandate on grounds of national security. The determination took effect immediately, removing the legal barrier that had prevented embassy relocation and allowing the State Department to proceed with establishing the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.
On May 25, 2018, President Trump signed Executive Order 13838, which exempted recreational services on federal lands from the prevailing wage requirements established in Executive Order 13658. The order eliminated the requirement that companies providing recreational services on federal property pay workers the prevailing wage for their region. This reduced labor costs for contractors providing services like campground management, equipment rentals, and recreational facilities on federal lands, directly lowering operating expenses for private companies managing these services.
On May 24, 2018, President Trump signed Executive Order 13825 directing federal agencies to streamline regulations governing commercial space activities and licensing. The order instructed the Department of Commerce and other agencies to reduce regulatory burdens on commercial space companies, including those engaged in satellite launches, space stations, and lunar activities. The confirmed effect was expedited licensing timelines for commercial space ventures and reduced compliance requirements for private space companies seeking federal authorization.
On May 21, 2018, President Trump signed Executive Order 13835, expanding sanctions on Venezuela by prohibiting additional financial transactions and dealings with the Venezuelan government and specified entities. The order expanded restrictions on U.S. persons and entities conducting business with Venezuela, affecting American companies with Venezuelan operations and limiting financial flows between the two countries. Americans with business interests, investments, or financial accounts in Venezuela faced new restrictions on transactions and asset access.
On May 18, 2018, the Trump administration issued a notice continuing the national emergency with respect to the stabilization of Iraq, originally declared in 2003. The continuation extends emergency powers related to Iraq operations. The direct impact on Americans includes continued authorization for emergency spending and executive powers related to Iraq military and stabilization operations without standard congressional appropriations processes.
Executive Order 13834 was signed on May 17, 2018, directing federal agencies to establish Regulatory Reform Officers and review regulations for potential elimination or modification to reduce compliance costs. The order required agencies to identify regulations imposing costs on the economy and submit plans to repeal or revise them. The confirmed direct impact included agencies across the federal government conducting systematic regulatory reviews, resulting in the elimination or modification of hundreds of regulations through 2020, affecting areas including environmental protection, labor standards, and financial oversight.
On May 16, 2018, President Trump signed a memorandum delegating authorities granted under Section 1244(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018. This delegation authorized officials within the executive branch to exercise specific powers related to national defense matters without requiring presidential sign-off on each decision. The confirmed effect was to streamline defense-related administrative and operational decisions within designated federal agencies.