Civicslog

The order directs the Environmental Protection Agency to exempt certain chemical manufacturing facilities from compliance with the New Source Performance Standards and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, known as the HON Rule. The exemption, lasting for a period of 2 years beyond the HON Rule’s relevant compliance dates, applies to specific facilities listed in Annex I of the order. The order cites the lack of commercially viable technology to implement the HON Rule and national security interests as reasons for the exemption.

The order directs the Environmental Protection Agency to exempt certain stationary sources involved in taconite iron ore processing from compliance with the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Taconite Iron Ore Processing rule for a period of two years. This exemption applies due to the current lack of commercially viable technology necessary to implement and comply with the rule. The facilities affected include those operated by United States Steel Corporation and Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., among others.

The order sends to the Senate the nominations of three individuals for judicial positions. Joshua D. Dunlap is nominated as United States Circuit Judge for the First Circuit, replacing retired William J. Kayatta, Jr. William W. Mercer is nominated as United States District Judge for the District of Montana, replacing Dana L. Christensen who is retiring. Eric Chunyee Tung is nominated as United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, replacing Sandra Segal Ikuta who is retiring.

In another of his tariff letters, the president announced 30% levies on goods imported from the EU and Mexico would begin on August 1. The letters were published on his social media site. Earlier, Canada received a tariff letter announcing 35% tariffs on the same deadline. So far Trump has sent letters to 24 nations and the EU. More are expected ans the president seeks leverage in trade negotiations.

According to documents reviewed by the NY Times, the Energy department plans to eliminate hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for wind and solar energy projects. Cuts are also planned for programs that help moderate and low-income families pay for energy. The funding has been approved by Congress and was slated to be allocated during the fiscal year that ends in September. "Cuts include reducing money for wind power projects to about $30 million from $137 million, and solar power to about $42 million from $318 million," according to the Times' report. Democratic lawmakers say the cuts are illegal.

A federal judge ruled that ICE agents were conducting roving immigration raids without "reasonable suspicion" and instead were relying on improper factors like race, accent, and line of work to apprehend people. The ruling halts the roving raids, at least temporarily. The judge also ordered that DHS provide detainees with access to telephones and legal counsel while detained.

The nominations sent to the Senate include Nicholas Adams of Florida for Ambassador to Malaysia, Eric Meyer of California for Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Sean O'Neill of Virginia for Ambassador to Thailand, and Julie Stufft of Ohio for Ambassador to Kazakhstan.

Reversing policy that's been in place for decades (since 1954), the IRS says it will allow churches to endorse political candidates from the pulpit, without losing their tax-exempt status. Only one church has lost its exemption due to the rule (known as the Johnson Amendment) and in practice it has been rarely enforced.

The order directs federal agencies to eliminate subsidies for energy sources like wind and solar, arguing they distort the market and are unreliable. The Department of the Treasury is instructed to enforce the termination of clean electricity production and investment tax credits for these facilities, as well as implement enhanced Foreign Entity of Concern restrictions. The Department of the Interior is directed to review and revise regulations that provide preferential treatment to wind and solar facilities compared to other energy sources.

The order directs federal agencies to halt the filling of vacant civilian positions and the creation of new ones through October 15, 2025, except as otherwise specified or required by law. This directive applies to all executive departments and agencies, with exceptions for military personnel, positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, public safety, and the Executive Office of the President. The hiring process should align with the Merit Hiring Plan issued by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on May 29, 2025. The OPM Director may grant exemptions where necessary, and agencies are prohibited from contracting outside the federal government to circumvent this policy.

The order directs federal agencies to extend the suspension of additional reciprocal tariff rates, originally set for 90 days, until August 1, 2025. This suspension applies to products of foreign trading partners listed in Annex I to Executive Order 14257, excluding the People's Republic of China (PRC). The tariff modifications, applicable to goods entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, are to be implemented by the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the United States Trade Representative, in consultation with other relevant officials.

The Trump II Department of Homeland Security is ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants from Honduras and Nicaragua, citing improved conditions in those countries. TPS is a federal program that protects immigrants from deportation, and allows them to get work permits, if they are from nations affected by natural disasters or war. People from Nicaragua and Honduras first received TPS protection following a hurricane in 1999. The department previously announced it would end TPS protection for people from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Nepal, Haiti, and Venezuela.

The order directs federal agencies to prioritize conservation and outdoor recreation. The National Park Service and the United States Forest Service are instructed to address deferred maintenance, costing $23 billion and $10.8 billion respectively. All federal land management agencies are to promote stewardship of natural resources, expand access to public lands for recreation, and encourage voluntary conservation efforts. The order establishes the President's Make America Beautiful Again Commission, chaired by the Secretary of the Interior and including officials from Defense, Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency among others. This Commission will advise on conserving national treasures and natural resources, improving conservation efforts, and expanding access to outdoor recreation opportunities.

The order directs federal agencies to increase entry fees for foreign tourists at national parks, while improving affordability for U.S. residents. The Secretary of the Interior is instructed to develop a strategy to increase revenue and improve the recreational experience at national parks. The increased revenue from the higher fees is to be used to improve the infrastructure of, or enhance enjoyment of or access to, America’s Federal recreational areas. The Secretary of the Interior, along with the Secretary of State, is also directed to encourage international tourism to America’s national parks.

Congressional Republicans pulled together as expected after a few hours of noisy faux-independence and voted to pass the president's signature agenda item: the One Big Beautiful Bill. It's got tax breaks for the wealthy, benefit cuts for the poor, and a ginormous budget bump for the Department of Homeland Security (and a more modest one for the Pentagon). We'll probably learn more of what it's got over the coming days as observers delve into its nooks and crannies. Happy Fourth of July, America.

The proclamation designates July 5, 2025, as the 160th Anniversary of the United States Secret Service. The document acknowledges the service's history and current role, noting that it protects the President, Vice President, their families, former presidents, major presidential candidates, and visiting foreign dignitaries. The proclamation also calls on all Americans to express gratitude and respect to the 8,000 employees of the United States Secret Service.

A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration cannot deny entry to people crossing the border seeking asylum. The asylum process ahs been part of U.S. immigration law since 1980. It allows people with credible fears of persecution in their home countries to apply for asylum and refuge in the U.S. The ruling will take effect in two weeks, allowing the administration time to appeal.

The memo notes the nomination of numerous individuals to various federal positions. These include Ademola Adewale-Sadik as United States Director of the African Development Bank for a five-year term, Lee Beaman and others to the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority for terms expiring in 2028, 2029, and 2030, and various appointees as United States Attorneys for terms of four years in multiple districts. New positions include James Caggy as an Assistant Secretary of Defense and Rosario Palmieri as an Assistant Secretary of Labor.

The order directs federal agencies to revise and enforce policies towards Cuba, with the aim of promoting freedom, democracy, and human rights in the country. Key directives include ending economic practices benefiting the Cuban government at the expense of its people, upholding the ban on tourism to Cuba, supporting the existing economic embargo, and expanding support for the Cuban people through internet services, free press, and lawful travel. The policy also ensures that any engagement between the U.S. and Cuba advances the interests of both nations.

The order directs Junction Pipeline Company, LLC to construct, connect, operate, and maintain pipeline facilities at Toole County, Montana, at the international boundary between the United States and Canada. This permit allows for the import from Canada into the United States of various crude oil and petroleum products, but not natural gas. The facilities are subject to all relevant laws and regulations, including pipeline safety laws and regulations issued or administered by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The permit also includes conditions related to potential changes, inspections, and removal of the facilities.

The order directs United States forces to conduct a precision strike against three nuclear facilities in Iran, which are reportedly used for nuclear weapons development. The strike was conducted in a way to minimize casualties and deter future attacks, without the use of US ground forces. The action was taken under the President's constitutional authority as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive, and the United States may take further action if necessary to address threats or attacks. [Editor's Note: There's been a mixup on the White House website. The source link formerly led to the text of the letter the president sent to Congress justifying his decision to attack Iran's nuclear bomb making facilities See here. That is what has been summarized here. Meanwhile, the post for the letter is absent from the White House website. And weirdly, the copy at the letter URL describes the Presidential Permit described in the headline.]

The order directs Steel Reef US Pipelines LLC to operate and maintain existing pipeline facilities at the international boundary between the United States and Canada in Burke County, North Dakota. This permit allows for the export of natural gas liquids from the U.S. into Canada, excluding natural gas under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act. The facilities include an 8.625-inch diameter pipeline and associated structures and equipment. The order also stipulates that the operation and maintenance of these facilities are subject to all applicable laws and regulations, including pipeline safety laws administered by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

The order directs federal agencies to revoke a series of sanctions on Syria, effective from July 1, 2025. This includes the termination of the national emergency declared in various executive orders related to Syria. The Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Secretary of Commerce, among others, are instructed to take additional actions including the removal of sanctions, issuing waivers to relax export controls and other restrictions on Syria. These actions are taken in response to positive developments in Syria, including actions taken by the new Syrian government. However, relief will not be provided to ISIS or other terrorist organizations, human rights abusers, and those linked to chemical weapons or activities threatening the peace, security, or stability of the United States, Syria, and its

The order directs federal agencies to streamline the funding process for energy infrastructure and critical mineral and material projects. This includes sharing information on funding applications and commitments among agencies, particularly with the Chair of the National Energy Dominance Council. The directive also mandates the development of a common application for federal funding opportunities related to these projects within 180 days, allowing applicants to apply simultaneously to multiple federal programs. The goal is to facilitate faster, more strategic investment decisions and reduce duplicative processes.

The Justice department put forward in a memo a plan to prioritize denaturalization in cases involving naturalized citizens who have broken the law. In the memo, DOJ leadership said denaturalization would become a top five priority for Civil Division staff.

Last week's SCOTUS ruling narrowing lower courts' ability to order nationwide injunctions left unsettled the underlying question about the legality of the president's executive order meant to end birthright citizenship. SCOTUS gave opponents of the executive order 30 days to get legal arguments and cases underway. Meanwhile, 28 U.S. states didn't challenge the order, and those may allow the order to go into effect once the 30 day period passes, potentially ending birthright citizenship in those states.

The administration will revoke Temporary Protected Status and work permits for hundreds of thousands of Haitians in September. The protected status has allowed Haitians to immigrate from their crisis-stricken nation to the U.S. legally since 2010. The administration said that crisis conditions in Haiti have abated enough to end the program. Meanwhile, the State Department advises Americans to avoid travel to Haiti due to its widespread gang violence.

The Trump administration acted to withhold $6.8 billion in education funding allocated by Congress to pay for teacher training, classroom materials, and after-school programs. The funds pay for programs aimed at supporting immigrant children and students learning English.

The Justice Department fired at least three prosecutors involved in the U.S. Capitol riot criminal cases. Previously the Justice Department fired about three dozen attorneys involved in pursuing Jan 6 criminal convictions.

The United States joined Israel's air assault on Iran, bombing a trio of nuclear research sites. Legality (international and domestic) of the Trump II administration's order to attack discussed by Lawfare, here.