Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
On September 8, 2017, the Trump administration issued Determination 2017-19522 continuing the exercise of certain authorities under the Trading With the Enemy Act. The determination extends presidential powers to regulate transactions with designated foreign entities and nationals. This action maintains existing restrictions on trade and financial transactions with countries or groups identified under the act's framework.
President Trump signed Proclamation 9639 on September 8, 2017, designating national days of prayer and remembrance. The proclamation establishes specific dates for Americans to observe prayer and remembrance activities. The proclamation has no direct regulatory impact on Americans' rights, benefits, or obligations.
President Trump signed Proclamation 9681 on September 8, 2017, designating September 11 as Patriot Day. The proclamation directs the flag of the United States to be flown at half-staff on that date each year and calls for a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The proclamation remains in effect as an annual observance.
On August 28, 2017, President Trump signed Executive Order 13809 to restore state, tribal, and local law enforcement access to federal military equipment and resources. The order reversed restrictions implemented under the Obama administration that limited the transfer of certain military equipment to local police departments. The confirmed direct effect was to reinstate the 1033 Program, which allows the Department of Defense to transfer surplus military equipment to state and local law enforcement agencies.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2017-18541 on August 25, 2017, designating August 26, 2017 as Women's Equality Day. The proclamation commemorates the 97th anniversary of women's suffrage under the 19th Amendment. It is a symbolic observance with no direct operational impact on federal policy or programs.
President Trump signed Executive Order 13808 on August 24, 2017, imposing additional economic sanctions on Venezuela in response to the political situation there. The order authorized the Treasury Department to block transactions and assets related to the Venezuelan government. The confirmed direct impact includes restrictions on U.S. persons and entities conducting certain financial transactions with Venezuela, affecting American companies and individuals with Venezuelan business interests.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2017-18142 on August 20, 2017, designating a week to recognize employers who support National Guard and Reserve members. The proclamation calls for public observance and acknowledgment of businesses that provide paid leave, flexible schedules, or other accommodations to Guard and Reserve employees. The proclamation has no direct regulatory effect on Americans but designates an observance period for federal recognition.
On August 15, 2017, a memorandum elevated U.S. Cyber Command from a subordinate unit under U.S. Strategic Command to an independent Unified Combatant Command with equal status to commands like Central Command and Pacific Command. The change gave Cyber Command independent authority over cyberwarfare operations and strategic planning. The direct effect was a reorganization of the Department of Defense's command structure and establishment of Cyber Command as a primary operational authority for U.S. military cyber operations.
On August 15, 2017, the Trump administration issued Notice 2017-17486 continuing the national emergency declaration with respect to export control regulations. This notice extended an existing emergency declaration affecting the authority to control exports of items deemed critical to national security. The continuation maintains regulatory authority over certain commercial exports and re-exports without requiring new Congressional action.
On August 14, 2017, President Trump signed Memorandum 2017-17528 directing the U.S. Trade Representative to investigate Chinese intellectual property practices, including trade secret theft, forced technology transfer, and discriminatory licensing. The memorandum instructed the USTR to determine if these practices violated U.S. trade law and to recommend potential actions, which led to Section 301 investigations and tariffs on Chinese goods beginning in 2018.