Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
President Trump signed Proclamation 10035 on July 17, 2020, designating the week of July 19-25, 2020 as Captive Nations Week. The proclamation calls for recognizing nations under authoritarian control and reaffirming U.S. commitment to their freedom. The proclamation has no direct regulatory impact on Americans but establishes an official week of recognition.
On July 14, 2020, President Trump signed Executive Order 13936 directing the Secretary of State to begin the process of eliminating Hong Kong's special trade status under U.S. law. The order suspended Hong Kong's preferential trade treatment, including exemptions from tariffs applied to mainland China. The direct effect was the application of higher tariffs to Hong Kong imports beginning September 25, 2020, increasing costs for U.S. importers and businesses sourcing goods from Hong Kong.
President Trump signed Executive Order 13935 on July 9, 2020, establishing the White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative to coordinate federal policy on Hispanic American economic advancement. The order directed federal agencies to develop programs and policies focused on Hispanic business development, workforce training, and educational opportunities. The confirmed direct impact includes the creation of an interagency task force and requirement that federal agencies report on initiatives affecting Hispanic American economic outcomes.
On July 7, 2020, President Trump signed a memorandum delegating authority under the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development (BUILD) Act of 2018. The memorandum transferred decision-making power over development financing and investment decisions to the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). This expanded the DFC's operational authority to approve and execute development projects without certain prior consultations or restrictions.
Executive Order 13934 was signed on July 3, 2020. The order directs federal agencies to inventory and protect monuments and memorials on federal property, and establishes a council to coordinate the building or rebuilding of monuments to American heroes. The order requires agencies to prevent the removal or alteration of such monuments without presidential approval.
On June 29, 2020, President Trump signed Proclamation 10448 under authority of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act. The proclamation authorized the President to take certain actions regarding tariffs, trade remedies, and implementation of USMCA provisions. The confirmed direct impact included potential modifications to tariff schedules and trade enforcement mechanisms affecting imported goods and cross-border commerce.
On June 29, 2020, President Trump signed an amendment to Proclamation 10052, expanding restrictions on entry to the United States to include six additional countries: Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Eritrea, Nigeria, and Tanzania, citing security concerns. The proclamation suspended the entry of nationals from these countries for 90 days. The amendment directly affected citizens and visa applicants from these nations who faced suspension of nonimmigrant visas and certain immigrant visa processing.
On June 26, 2020, President Trump signed Executive Order 13931, which established the National Council for the American Worker and the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board. The order created structures to coordinate federal workforce development policy across agencies and convene business leaders, workers, and government officials. The confirmed direct impact was the creation of these advisory bodies tasked with developing workforce policy recommendations, though specific measurable outcomes on American workers remain documented through subsequent policy announcements.
On June 24, 2020, the Trump administration issued a notice continuing the national emergency with respect to the Western Balkans, originally declared in 1995. The continuation extends the emergency status, which authorizes specific executive authorities related to the region. The direct impact on Americans includes potential restrictions on travel, trade, or financial transactions involving designated entities in the Western Balkans region, though the scope of practical domestic effect remains limited.
On June 24, 2020, President Trump signed Executive Order 13930 directing federal agencies to strengthen child welfare systems and improve outcomes for children in foster care and adoption. The order established requirements for federal agencies to coordinate on child welfare policies, reduce time in foster care, and increase adoption placements. Confirmed direct impacts include new federal coordination mechanisms for child welfare agencies and revised federal performance metrics for state child welfare systems.