Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
On April 14, 2020, President Trump signed Executive Order 13915, which established the order of succession for positions within the Department of the Interior. The order designates which officials assume leadership if the Secretary of the Interior becomes unable to perform duties. This affects the chain of command for managing federal lands, natural resources, and Native American affairs.
On February 19, 2020, the Trump administration signed Memorandum 2020-04089 directing federal agencies to increase water supplies to California. The memorandum instructed the Department of Interior and Army Corps of Engineers to maximize water deliveries through state and federal water projects. Confirmed effects included increased water allocations to Central Valley agricultural and urban water districts in 2020.
On September 6, 2019, the Trump administration signed Memorandum 2019-19930 establishing a line of succession for leadership positions within the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). The memorandum specified the order in which CEQ duties would be assumed if the chair became unavailable. This affected the administrative structure of the federal agency responsible for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act and coordinating environmental policy across agencies.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2019-9977 on May 31, 2019, designating June 2019 as Great Outdoors Month. The proclamation encourages Americans to enjoy and appreciate outdoor recreation and natural spaces. The proclamation has no regulatory effect and does not restrict or mandate actions by Americans or federal agencies.
On March 29, 2019, the Trump administration signed an order authorizing TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P. to construct, connect, operate, and maintain pipeline facilities at the international boundary between the United States and Canada. The order granted the company permission to proceed with building the cross-border pipeline infrastructure. The pipeline began transporting crude oil from Canada through the U.S. in 2020, affecting oil supply chains and environmental conditions in states along the route, particularly in Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
President Trump signed Executive Order 13855 on December 21, 2018, directing federal agencies to actively manage forests, rangelands, and other federal lands to reduce wildfire risk. The order established procedures for increased timber harvesting, vegetation management, and prescribed burns on federal lands. Implementation occurred through updated Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management protocols affecting land management practices on approximately 640 million acres of federal land.
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.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-23416 on October 19, 2018, designating a national week to recognize forest products industries. The proclamation calls for Americans to observe National Forest Products Week and recognize the economic and social contributions of the forest products sector. The proclamation has no direct regulatory impact on Americans beyond its observational designation.
On October 19, 2018, the Trump administration signed Memorandum 2018-23519 directing federal agencies to promote reliable water supply and delivery in western states. The memorandum instructed the Department of Interior and other agencies to review and modify federal water management policies and regulations. The confirmed direct effect included changes to federal water project operations in western states, affecting irrigation deliveries, hydropower generation, and water availability to agricultural and municipal users in the West.
Executive Order 13840 was signed on June 19, 2018, directing federal agencies to review ocean policies and develop a new ocean policy framework. The order required agencies to balance economic development, national security, and environmental stewardship in ocean management. Confirmed direct impacts include revised permitting processes for offshore energy development and infrastructure projects, and altered coordination between federal agencies on ocean resource management.