Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
The Trump administration eased sanctions on Venezuela's state-run financial system to boost the country's economy. Venezuela's government-run bank and financial institutions can now legally use U.S. currency, directly receive oil sales revenue, and reenter the U.S.-controlled global financial system. This action aims to stabilize Venezuela's damaged economy amid public worker protests.
On May 16, 2017, President Trump signed a notice continuing the national emergency with respect to the stabilization of Iraq, originally declared in 2003. The continuation extends the emergency declaration, which authorizes the government to maintain certain powers related to Iraq operations. This action allows the administration to continue invoking emergency authorities for Iraq-related activities without requiring new congressional approval.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2017-10313 on May 15, 2017, designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week of May 14-20 as Police Week. The proclamation honors fallen law enforcement officers and calls for observance of these commemorative dates. It has no direct regulatory impact on Americans but establishes official federal recognition of these observances.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2017-10159 on May 12, 2017, designating a day to honor military spouses. The proclamation declares recognition of military spouses' contributions and sacrifices. As a proclamation, it establishes an official observance day but carries no binding regulatory or budgetary requirements.
President Trump signed Executive Order 13800 on May 11, 2017, directing federal agencies to strengthen cybersecurity protections for federal networks and critical infrastructure systems. The order required agencies to implement new cybersecurity standards, report vulnerabilities, and coordinate defense efforts across government and critical sectors including energy, communications, and financial systems. The order established ongoing federal cybersecurity requirements affecting how agencies protect data systems and infrastructure that Americans depend on for essential services.
On May 9, 2017, President Trump signed a notice continuing the national emergency declaration with respect to the actions of the Government of Syria, originally declared in 2011. The continuation extends existing emergency powers and sanctions related to Syria policy. The declaration allows the executive branch to maintain restrictions on Syrian government transactions and assets under International Emergency Economic Powers Act authority.
On May 8, 2017, the Trump administration issued a notice continuing the national emergency with respect to Yemen, originally declared in 2015. The continuation extends the emergency declaration that authorizes specific executive powers related to Yemen policy. This maintains the legal framework for executive actions concerning Yemen without requiring new Congressional authorization.
President Trump signed Executive Order 13798 on May 4, 2017, directing the Department of the Treasury to issue guidance on the Johnson Amendment, which prohibits tax-exempt organizations including churches from engaging in political campaign activity. The order instructed the IRS not to take enforcement action against tax-exempt organizations based solely on their political speech. The confirmed effect was that religious organizations gained increased latitude to engage in political activity without risking their tax-exempt status.
President Trump signed Executive Order 13796 on April 29, 2017, directing the U.S. Trade Representative to identify trade agreement violations and abuses by trading partners and report findings within 90 days. The order required the USTR to analyze whether any trade agreements were being violated in ways that harmed American workers and to recommend remedies including renegotiation or withdrawal from agreements.
Executive Order 13797 was signed on April 29, 2017, establishing the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy within the Executive Office of the President. The office was directed to develop and coordinate trade and manufacturing policy across federal agencies. The confirmed effect includes the creation of a new policy coordination office reporting to the President with authority over trade negotiations and domestic manufacturing initiatives.