Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
Executive Order 14383 establishes a new arms transfer policy prioritizing American interests and defense contractors. The order reorganizes the approval process for international weapons sales and military aid decisions. This affects defense industry employment, foreign policy relationships, and government contracting opportunities for American companies.
Trump administration issued a memorandum invoking Section 303 of the Defense Production Act to waive statutory requirements for munitions and minerals production. The action prioritizes domestic manufacturing and defense industrial base expansion. This could accelerate mining operations and weapons production while potentially reducing environmental and labor protections.
On November 12, 2019, the Trump administration continued the national emergency declaration regarding the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, originally declared in 1994. The continuation extends emergency powers and restrictions related to WMD proliferation controls. The direct effect maintains existing export controls, sanctions authorities, and emergency measures tied to WMD proliferation that remain in force for individuals and entities subject to these restrictions.
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.
On November 8, 2018, the Trump administration signed a Notice (Document 2018-24810) continuing the national emergency declaration regarding the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The continuation extended the existing emergency powers first declared in 1995, maintaining executive authority to regulate transactions and activities related to WMD proliferation. The direct effect on Americans includes expanded executive oversight of certain international transactions and continued restrictions on commerce related to designated WMD proliferation activities.
On November 5, 2018, the Trump administration signed Memorandum 2018-26528 delegating authority contained in Condition 23 of the Senate's Resolution of Advice and Consent to ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The memorandum transfers specified decision-making authority related to the Chemical Weapons Convention's implementation. The confirmed direct impact involves the delegation of executive responsibilities related to U.S. compliance and oversight mechanisms under the international chemical weapons treaty.
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 November 6, 2017, the Trump administration signed a notice continuing the national emergency declaration regarding the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, originally declared in 1994. The continuation extended the emergency powers and restrictions related to WMD proliferation already in effect. The direct impact on Americans included continued application of sanctions, export controls, and financial restrictions tied to the WMD emergency declaration.