Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
President Trump signed Proclamation 10309 on March 31, 2020, designating April 2020 as Second Chance Month to recognize efforts to reduce recidivism and support individuals returning from incarceration. The proclamation called attention to criminal justice reform initiatives and second chance employment programs. The proclamation itself created no new programs or funding but designated a month for recognition of existing rehabilitation and reentry efforts.
On March 31, 2020, President Trump signed a memorandum delegating certain functions and authorities granted to the President under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 to various executive branch officials. The memorandum transferred specific presidential powers related to national defense matters to designated cabinet members and agency heads. The direct impact on Americans included altered chains of command and decision-making authority for defense-related actions during the remainder of fiscal year 2020.
On March 30, 2020, the Trump administration signed a memorandum extending the wind-down period for Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberians. The memorandum extended the period during which Liberians with DED status could remain in the United States before the program's termination. This affected thousands of Liberian nationals living and working in the U.S. under DED protection.
On March 30, 2020, the Trump administration signed a notice continuing the national emergency declaration with respect to significant malicious cyber-enabled activities, originally declared in 2015. The continuation extends the emergency powers and authorities related to cyber threats without expiration. The direct impact on Americans includes continued government authority to respond to and restrict cyber activities deemed malicious, affecting cybersecurity policy and potential sanctions on foreign actors.
On March 30, 2020, the Trump administration issued a memorandum directing federal support for governors' use of the National Guard to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The memorandum authorized the Department of Defense to provide equipment, personnel, and logistical support to state National Guard units deployed for pandemic response activities. The confirmed direct effect was to mobilize National Guard units in multiple states for tasks including hospital support, testing distribution, and emergency response operations.
On March 28, 2020, the Trump administration issued a memorandum authorizing federal support for governors' deployment of National Guard units to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The memorandum directed federal agencies to provide logistical and financial assistance to state governors requesting National Guard support for coronavirus response activities. The confirmed direct impact was that National Guard personnel were deployed in multiple states for tasks including testing site operations, hospital support, and supply distribution.
President Trump signed Executive Order 13911 on March 27, 2020, delegating additional authority under the Defense Production Act to federal agencies to allocate health and medical resources in response to COVID-19. The order empowered the Secretary of Health and Human Services and other agency heads to requisition supplies, materials, and services needed for pandemic response. The direct effect was authorization for federal agencies to commandeer or redirect medical equipment and supplies from private manufacturers and distributors to government control for distribution during the pandemic.
On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed Executive Order 13912 authorizing the Secretary of Defense to order members of the Selected Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces to active duty without a declaration of war or national emergency by Congress. The order granted the Secretary discretionary authority to activate reserve and ready reserve military personnel. The confirmed effect was the activation of approximately 24,000 reserve service members to support COVID-19 response operations, including medical personnel and logistics support across the United States.
On March 23, 2020, President Trump signed Executive Order 13910, authorizing the Department of Health and Human Services to use the Defense Production Act to prevent hoarding and price gouging of health and medical resources needed for COVID-19 response. The order directed federal agencies to take action against the accumulation and retention of scarce health and medical resources, and established enforcement mechanisms for violations. The confirmed effect was to give federal authorities legal tools to address supply chain disruptions and ensure allocation of ventilators, personal protective equipment, and other critical medical supplies during the pandemic.
On March 22, 2020, the Trump administration issued a memorandum (2020-06476) directing federal support for governors' deployment of the National Guard to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The memorandum authorized the use of National Guard troops under state control for COVID-19 related missions including staffing testing sites, assisting with hospital operations, and supporting supply distribution. The confirmed direct effect was the mobilization of National Guard personnel in multiple states to assist with pandemic response operations.