Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-24359 on October 31, 2018, designating November 2018 as National Adoption Month. The proclamation encouraged Americans to recognize and support adoption and foster care. It had no direct regulatory or programmatic impact on Americans, as proclamations are ceremonial declarations that do not create, modify, or eliminate laws, policies, or benefits.
On October 30, 2018, President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-24032 modifying the list of products eligible for duty-free treatment under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), a trade program that grants preferential tariff rates to certain imports from developing countries. The proclamation removed or modified duty-free status for specific product categories. The change directly affected import duties on goods from GSP-designated countries, altering costs for businesses importing those products and potentially affecting consumer prices on affected merchandise.
President Trump signed Memorandum 2018-24897 on October 29, 2018, delegating authority under Section 1244 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. Section 1244 addresses the establishment of new federal positions and organizational structure within the Department of Defense. The memorandum transferred specified statutory authorities to designated officials within the executive branch.
On October 27, 2018, President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-24030 designating October 27, 2018 as a day of mourning for the victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that occurred on October 27, 2018, killing 11 people. The proclamation called for flags to be flown at half-staff and was a ceremonial declaration with no direct operational impact on federal policy or programs.
On October 26, 2018, President Trump signed Memorandum 2018-23971 delegating authority under Section 1069 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. This memorandum transferred specified powers granted by Congress to the Secretary of Defense and other executive officials. The direct impact on Americans includes changes to how certain defense-related decisions and authorities are exercised within the executive branch.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-24027 on October 26, 2018, establishing Camp Nelson National Monument in Kentucky. The proclamation designated approximately 6,271 acres of federal land as a national monument to preserve the Civil War-era site where formerly enslaved people sought refuge and served as soldiers and laborers. The designation protects the historic land from future development and makes it available for public visitation and educational purposes.
On October 25, 2018, the Trump administration issued a notice continuing the national emergency declaration with respect to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, originally declared in 2006. The continuation extended sanctions and restrictions related to conflict minerals and armed groups in the DRC. The direct impact on Americans includes restrictions on certain mineral imports from the DRC and potential effects on consumer electronics and jewelry containing those minerals.
On October 25, 2018, the Trump administration signed Memorandum 2018-23839 directing federal agencies to develop a sustainable spectrum strategy for the United States. The memorandum tasked the Department of Commerce and other agencies with identifying spectrum bands for commercial use and developing long-term policies for spectrum allocation. The confirmed effect was the initiation of a federal review process to inform future spectrum management decisions affecting wireless communications infrastructure and broadband deployment.
President Trump signed Proclamation 10765 on October 23, 2018, designating October 24, 2018 as United Nations Day. The proclamation honors the founding of the United Nations and calls for observance of the day. This is an annual ceremonial proclamation with no direct regulatory impact on Americans.
President Trump signed Proclamation 10277 on October 19, 2018, designating the week of October 21-27, 2018 as National Character Counts Week. The proclamation calls on Americans to recognize and promote character development in youth and communities. This is a ceremonial proclamation with no direct regulatory or policy impact on Americans.