Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
On October 5, 2018, President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-22232 designating October 6, 2018, as German-American Day. The proclamation honors German-American contributions to U.S. history and culture. This is an annual ceremonial proclamation with no direct regulatory or policy impact on Americans.
On October 5, 2018, the Trump administration issued a Presidential Determination under Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, invoking authority to prioritize the allocation of resources for national defense purposes. This determination authorized the government to require private companies to prioritize production or delivery of materials deemed essential to national security. The direct effect was to grant federal authority to commandeer or redirect industrial capacity for defense-related manufacturing without normal market mechanisms.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-22186 on October 4, 2018, designating October 5, 2018 as National Manufacturing Day. The proclamation called for recognition of American manufacturing and manufacturers. The proclamation had no direct regulatory or policy impact on Americans beyond ceremonial designation.
On October 4, 2018, the Trump administration issued Presidential Determination 2018-24135, setting the refugee admission ceiling for fiscal year 2019 at 18,000 individuals. This represents a reduction from the 45,000 ceiling established for fiscal year 2018. The determination directly reduced the number of refugees admitted to the United States in the 2019 fiscal year.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-21819 on September 28, 2018, designating a day to honor mothers, fathers, and families of military personnel killed in action. The proclamation establishes an annual observance but creates no new federal programs, benefits, or policy changes. It directs no specific government action beyond recognition of Gold Star families.
On September 28, 2018, the Trump administration issued Presidential Determination 2018-23245 under the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008. This determination exempted certain countries from restrictions that would otherwise limit U.S. military aid and arms sales due to their use of child soldiers. The determination directly affected the flow of military assistance to nations identified as using child soldiers in armed conflict.
Executive Order 13849 was signed on September 20, 2018, authorizing implementation of sanctions identified in the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The order directed the Treasury Department and State Department to impose sanctions on individuals and entities designated under CAATSA authorities. The confirmed direct impact included financial restrictions on sanctioned Russian, Iranian, and North Korean entities and individuals, affecting American companies' ability to conduct business with these designated parties.
On September 19, 2018, the Trump administration issued a notice continuing the national emergency declaration with respect to persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism. The continuation extended authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act related to terrorism designations and financial sanctions. The direct effect on Americans includes the ongoing ability of the executive branch to designate individuals and entities as terrorists and impose financial restrictions without Congressional approval for each designation.
President Trump signed Executive Order 13848 on September 12, 2018, establishing a framework for imposing sanctions on foreign entities determined to have interfered in United States elections. The order directs the Director of National Intelligence to assess whether foreign interference occurred and authorizes the President to impose economic and other sanctions on identified foreign governments or persons. The order remains in effect and provides the legal mechanism through which the administration can levy sanctions related to election interference.
On September 11, 2018, the Trump administration issued a presidential determination identifying countries designated as major drug transit or major illicit drug producing countries under the Foreign Assistance Act. This determination established eligibility criteria for U.S. foreign aid and narcotics-related assistance based on drug production and trafficking activity. The determination directly affected foreign aid allocations and counternarcotics funding to identified countries.