Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
Executive Order 14196 was signed on February 3, 2025, directing the establishment of a U.S. sovereign wealth fund to manage federal financial assets. The order specifies the fund's structure, governance, and investment parameters. The confirmed direct impact on Americans includes potential changes to how federal assets are managed and allocated, though implementation details and timeline remain in early stages.
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.
On June 4, 2020, President Trump signed Executive Order 13927 to accelerate federal infrastructure investments and related activities as part of COVID-19 economic recovery efforts. The order directed federal agencies to expedite permitting and approval processes for infrastructure projects, reduce review timelines, and streamline environmental assessments. The confirmed direct effect was to shorten federal approval timelines for infrastructure projects, though the scope and scale of actual project acceleration required agency implementation and subsequent project-specific approvals.
On June 4, 2020, President Trump signed Memorandum 2020-12585 directing the Secretary of the Treasury to examine risks posed by Chinese companies to U.S. investors and recommend policies to address those risks. The memorandum instructed executive agencies to review Chinese company investments in the United States and evaluate potential national security and financial system vulnerabilities. The confirmed direct impact includes increased scrutiny of Chinese investment flows into the U.S. and potential restrictions on certain investment categories, though specific implemented restrictions varied by agency and sector.
On May 13, 2020, the Trump administration issued a notice continuing the national emergency declaration regarding securing the information and communications technology and services supply chain. The continuation extended an existing emergency declaration that had been in place, maintaining authorities to restrict foreign acquisition of U.S. technology and communications infrastructure. The direct effect was to keep in place restrictions on foreign investment and acquisitions in designated technology sectors.
Executive Order 13913 signed April 4, 2020 established a committee to assess foreign participation in U.S. telecommunications services and supply chains. The committee was directed to review existing foreign investments and ownership stakes in American telecommunications companies and infrastructure. The order authorized the committee to recommend restrictions on foreign ownership or control of telecommunications assets deemed to present national security risks.
On September 24, 2019, President Trump signed a memorandum delegating functions and authorities under the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development (BUILD) Act of 2018 to the Secretary of State and other officials. The memorandum transferred specific powers related to development finance and international investment promotion from the President to designated agencies. The direct effect was to operationalize the BUILD Act's framework for U.S. international development financing through designated officials rather than direct presidential action.
On August 1, 2019, President Trump signed Executive Order 13883, which amended Executive Order 12851 regarding the administration of proliferation sanctions. The order modifies the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) processes and expands authority over foreign investment reviews related to proliferation concerns. The direct effect establishes new review mechanisms for foreign transactions involving sensitive technologies and materials related to weapons proliferation.
Executive Order 13853 was signed on December 12, 2018, establishing the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council to coordinate federal investment and economic development in distressed communities. The order created a council chaired by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to identify and direct federal resources to economically disadvantaged areas. The council's activities affected federal grant allocation processes and interagency coordination for community development initiatives.
On November 26, 2018, President Trump signed a memorandum delegating authorities granted under Section 1757 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. Section 1757 addresses the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and its authority to review foreign transactions. The delegation transferred specified presidential authorities to Cabinet secretaries and agency heads to expedite review of foreign investment transactions affecting U.S. national security.