Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
Executive Order 13825 was signed on March 1, 2018, amending the Manual for Courts-Martial, which governs military justice procedures and punishments. The order modified rules of evidence, procedures for military trials, and sentencing guidelines within the U.S. armed forces. The direct impact affects active-duty service members, reservists, and National Guard members subject to military courts-martial proceedings.
Executive Order 13824 was signed on February 26, 2018, establishing the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. The order created a council to advise the President on sports, fitness, and nutrition initiatives and policies. The council's confirmed direct impact includes the formation of an advisory body that meets regularly to address national health and fitness priorities.
On February 22, 2018, President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-3962 continuing the national emergency declaration regarding Cuba and authorizing regulation of vessel anchorage and movement in U.S. waters. The proclamation extends restrictions on maritime traffic related to Cuba that had been in place under previous administrations. The action maintains existing vessel regulations and embargo-related controls affecting U.S. shipping and trade operations involving Cuba.
On February 20, 2018, President Trump signed a memorandum delegating authorities under Section 1245 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018. This memorandum transferred specified powers granted by Congress to executive branch officials. The delegation authorized designated officials to exercise authorities related to national defense matters without requiring additional presidential approval for each action.
On February 20, 2018, the Trump administration issued a memorandum directing the Department of Justice to apply the statutory definition of "machinegun" to bump fire stocks and similar devices that increase a semi-automatic weapon's rate of fire. The action effectively banned the sale and possession of these devices by classifying them as illegal automatic weapons under existing law. Americans who owned bump fire stocks were required to destroy them or surrender them to authorities, with a compliance deadline set for March 26, 2019.
On February 9, 2018, President Trump signed a memorandum delegating certain functions and authorities under Section 1235 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 to specified executive branch officials. The memorandum transferred decision-making authority over particular defense-related matters to designated department heads. The direct impact on Americans includes changes to how certain defense authorization functions are administered within the executive branch.
On February 9, 2018, the Trump administration continued the national emergency with respect to Libya originally declared in 2011. The continuation extends emergency powers related to Libya under the National Emergencies Act. The direct effect on Americans includes maintaining authorization for executive branch actions related to Libya policy, including potential sanctions, travel restrictions, and resource allocation without standard congressional approval processes.
On February 8, 2018, President Trump signed a memorandum delegating certain functions and authorities under Section 1252 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to the Secretary of Defense and other officials. Section 1252 addresses military personnel matters and related administrative functions. The memorandum transferred specific decision-making authority from the President to designated cabinet officials and military leadership.
On February 5, 2018, President Trump signed a memorandum delegating certain functions and authorities under Section 1238 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 to specified executive branch officials. The memorandum transferred decision-making authority over matters covered under that section to designated agency heads. The confirmed direct impact includes altered chain of command for specific defense-related decisions previously requiring presidential action.
President Trump signed Executive Order 13823 on January 30, 2018, directing the Secretary of Defense to provide recommendations on detention policies for suspected terrorists. The order required the Secretary of Defense to submit a report within 30 days on the authority and practices for holding detainees designated as terrorists, with specific focus on long-term detention of high-value detainees. The confirmed direct impact included a policy review that informed subsequent detention and interrogation procedures within the Department of Defense.