Civicslog

Tracking presidential actions and other news.

Action Area: defense

Page 1 of 3

Fifth Anniversary of the Attack at Abbey Gate

Date: 2026-08-26

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: military foreign-policy defense

AI-generated

The proclamation designates August 26, 2026, as the fifth anniversary of the Abbey Gate attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, honoring the 13 U.S. service members killed, 45 wounded, and more than 160 civilians injured. It calls for remembrance of the victims and expresses commitments to support service members and military families, defend national security, and prevent similar failures.

Adjusting Imports of Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Components into the United States

Date: 2026-08-13

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: ai defense international-trade

AI-generated

This proclamation addresses imports of unmanned aircraft systems and their parts and components for the period beginning August 13, 2026. It follows a Commerce Department investigation under Section 232 that found substantial reliance on foreign-produced systems and components, while the proclamation states that these imports threaten national security. The provided text does not specify the resulting tariff rates or other import measures.

Rebuilding the United States Navy and America’s Shipbuilding Industrial Base

Date: 2026-08-13

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: defense industry infrastructure

AI-generated

The memorandum directs federal agencies to develop a plan to replace the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System and Advanced Weapons Elevators with steam and hydraulic systems on the CVN-81 aircraft carrier, including timelines and funding needs. It also directs the Department of War to expand domestic shipbuilding capacity and competition, use reliable and affordable designs, permit near-term purchases from foreign suppliers, and encourage investment in U.S. shipyards and related industries.

Expanding Capabilities to Combat Transnational Cyber-Enabled Crime

Date: 2026-08-12

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: federal-regulations defense

AI-generated

The memorandum directs federal agencies to establish a National Coordination Center program allowing vetted U.S. companies to conduct government-supervised cyber surveillance and cyber effects operations against foreign cyber-enabled transnational criminal organizations. The program is intended to use private-sector capabilities to identify and disrupt cybercrime, fraud, and other predatory schemes targeting Americans.

Adjusting Imports of Polysilicon and its Derivatives into the United States

Date: 2026-08-06

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: international-trade defense ai

AI-generated

August 6, 2026, is proclaimed as the date for measures addressing imports of polysilicon and its derivative products into the United States. The proclamation directs the Secretary of Commerce to implement findings from a Section 232 investigation and identifies imports as threatening national security because polysilicon supports semiconductor, defense, artificial intelligence, and solar-product supply chains.

Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 101 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended, on Recoverable Critical Minerals and Materials

Date: 2026-07-30

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: defense federal-regulations natural-resources

AI-generated

The order directs federal agencies to treat recoverable critical minerals and materials (CMMs)—including black mass, end-of-life rare-earth magnets, swarf, and other waste and scrap containing critical minerals, but excluding copper scrap covered by a prior proclamation—as scarce, essential to national defense, and subject to actions under section 101 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 to secure supply. The Secretary of Commerce is authorized and directed to implement this determination and take all appropriate actions under the Act, using authority delegated in Executive Order 13603.

Securing America’s Defense Supply Chains and Ensuring Domestic Acquisition of Critical Materials

Date: 2026-07-20

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: defense federal-regulations military

AI-generated

The order directs federal agencies to require that, beginning January 1, 2027, the Secretary of War and the Secretaries of the military departments cease issuing most waivers under 10 U.S.C. 4872 for acquiring covered materials and to limit other waiver authority to cases where contractors submit Secretary‑approved mitigation plans that identify noncompliant sources, document exhaustive acquisition efforts, describe steps to remove noncompliant material, and set strict timelines. It instructs defense acquisition officials to enforce domestic or allied sourcing of critical materials, implement enhanced procurement controls and oversight to ensure compliance with 10 U.S.C. 4872, and condition continued waivers and

Regulatory Relief for Certain Stationary Sources to Promote American Chemical Manufacturing Security

Date: 2026-07-13

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: federal-regulations industry defense

AI-generated

This proclamation declares that certain stationary sources identified in Annex I are exempt from compliance with aspects of the EPA’s HON Rule promulgated under section 112 of the Clean Air Act for a period of two years. It directs the Environmental Protection Agency to suspend enforcement of those specified section 112 requirements for the listed facilities and to take administrative steps necessary to implement the temporary exemption while maintaining other applicable regulatory obligations.

Adjusting Imports of Commercial Aircraft, Jet Engines, and Aircraft and Engine Parts into the United States

Date: 2026-07-09

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: international-trade defense industry

AI-generated

This proclamation declares adjustments to imports of commercial aircraft, jet engines, and associated parts into the United States pursuant to a section 232 national security investigation that found these imports threaten to impair national security. It directs the Secretary of Commerce and other relevant federal agencies to implement measures specified in the proclamation to address import quantities and circumstances—such as modifying tariffs, quotas, or other trade remedies—so as to protect the domestic aircraft and engine industrial base and related national security functions.

Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks

Date: 2026-06-22

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: crypto defense federal-regulations

AI-generated

The order directs federal agencies to accelerate transition of Federal information systems to NIST-approved Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) standards to protect against future quantum-computer attacks and retrospective decryption risks. It assigns specific roles and definitions, directs agencies (including those responsible for National Security Systems, high-impact systems, and high value assets) to inventory cryptographic assets, designate PQC migration leads, adopt FIPS-compliant PQC and cryptographic module validation, and assist critical infrastructure owners and operators in migrating to approved PQC algorithms.

National Security Presidential Memorandum/NSPM-12

Date: 2026-06-12

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: defense data-privacy federal-regulations

AI-generated

The order directs federal agencies to implement a national policy establishing cybersecurity governance for National Security Systems (NSS) and designates the Director of the National Security Agency as the National Manager for NSS, with the Committee on National Security Systems overseeing standards and governance. The memorandum requires the Department of War, the Intelligence Community, and Federal Civilian Executive Branch agencies that own or operate NSS to defend those systems to the greatest extent practicable and meet cybersecurity requirements equivalent to or exceeding those in Executive Order 14306.

National Security Presidential Memorandum/NSPM-11

Date: 2026-06-05

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: ai defense federal-regulations

AI-generated

The order directs federal agencies to accelerate and expand use of artificial intelligence across the national security and intelligence enterprise by streamlining acquisition and deployment, strengthening oversight, and building a secure, resilient supply chain that reduces dependence on single vendors. It assigns responsibilities to the Departments of State, Treasury, Defense, Justice, Energy, Homeland Security, OMB, Intelligence Community leaders, the FBI, OPM, and the National Cyber Director to partner with the private sector and academia, ensure workforce training, and maintain human oversight while fielding advanced AI for warfighting and intelligence missions.

Promoting Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Security

Date: 2026-06-02

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: ai defense federal-regulations

AI-generated

The order directs federal agencies to strengthen AI innovation and security across government by prioritizing cyber defense of National Security Systems, Department of War information systems, and civilian federal systems and by accelerating adoption of AI-enabled defensive tools. It instructs CISA (within DHS), OMB, the National Cyber Director, and other national security officials to issue Binding Operational Directives and guidance, expand federal cybersecurity programs and services, and facilitate access to cybersecurity tools and covered frontier models for agencies, state and local authorities, and critical infrastructure operators.

Nominations Sent to the Senate

Date: 2026-05-20

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: ceremonial defense federal-workforce

AI-generated

This nominations list sends Charles Baldis to the Senate for confirmation as Special Counsel at the Office of Special Counsel for a five-year term and sends Jules Hurst III to the Senate for confirmation as Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller).

Presidential Determination Concerning the Air Force’s Jet Fighter Training Operations in Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada

Date: 2026-04-20

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: defense environment federal-regulations

AI-generated

The order directs federal agencies to exempt the United States Air Force’s jet fighter training operations in Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada from Federal, State, interstate, and local requirements, administrative authority, process, and sanctions related to the control and abatement of water pollution, while preserving requirements under 33 U.S.C. 1316 and 1317. The exemption applies for one year from April 20, 2026, through April 20, 2027, and the Secretary of the Air Force is directed to publish the determination in the Federal Register.

Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended, on Coal Supply Chains and Baseload Power Generation Capacity

Date: 2026-04-20

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: defense energy

AI-generated

The order directs federal agencies to expand coal supply chains and baseload power generation capacity by treating coal mining, rail and barge logistics, terminals, generating unit availability and life‑extension work, on‑site stockpiles, and related reliability upgrades as industrial resources essential to national defense. The memorandum instructs the Secretary of Energy to use authorities under section 303 of the Defense Production Act to pursue purchases, purchase commitments, financial support, or other actions to increase production and availability because industry cannot meet needs in a timely manner due to financing, regulatory, maintenance, and market barriers.

Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended, on Domestic Petroleum Production, Refining, and Logistics Capacity

Date: 2026-04-20

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: defense energy federal-regulations

AI-generated

The order directs federal agencies to implement a Presidential Determination under section 303 of the Defense Production Act finding domestic petroleum production, refining, and logistics capacity—including exploration and production, pipelines, storage, and marine terminals—are essential to national defense and to take actions to expand those capacities. It authorizes purchases, purchase commitments, financial support for developing production capabilities, and other measures to address financing, long lead times, permitting, and supply-chain constraints and waives certain statutory requirements under section 303 to enable expedited Federal support.

Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended, on Grid Infrastructure, Equipment, and Supply Chain Capacity

Date: 2026-04-20

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: defense energy infrastructure

AI-generated

The order directs federal agencies to treat grid infrastructure and associated supply chains—such as transformers, transmission lines and conductors, substations, high‑voltage circuit breakers, power control electronics, protective relay systems, capacitor banks, electrical core steel, related raw materials, and manufacturing tools—as industrial resources essential to national defense under section 303 of the Defense Production Act. It instructs the Secretary of Energy and other appropriate agencies to use authorities under that Act to support purchases, purchase commitments, and financial assistance to expand domestic production capacity and shorten procurement timelines because current domestic capacity is limited, production lead times are long, and reliance on imports creates vulnerabilities.

Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended, on Natural Gas Transmission, Processing, Storage, and Liquefied Natural Gas Capacity

Date: 2026-04-20

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: defense energy federal-regulations

AI-generated

The order directs federal agencies to treat natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure—including gathering and transmission pipelines, compression, processing plants, underground storage, LNG liquefaction, storage and marine load, export facilities, and critical distribution infrastructure—as industrial resources essential to national defense and to use authorities under section 303 of the Defense Production Act to expand those capacities. The memorandum instructs the Secretary of Energy and other relevant agencies to pursue purchases, purchase commitments, financial support, and other actions to overcome financing, long-lead equipment, permitting, and infrastructure bottlenecks so domestic industry can timely provide increased transmission, processing, storage, and export

Adjusting Imports of Pharmaceuticals and Pharmaceutical Ingredients into the United States

Date: 2026-04-02

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: healthcare international-trade defense

AI-generated

This proclamation designates adjusted import measures for pharmaceuticals and their active ingredients, responding to a Commerce Department section 232 finding that imports of patented pharmaceuticals and APIs threaten national security and economic resilience as of April 2, 2026. It directs the Secretary of Commerce and other federal agencies to implement actions such as negotiating onshoring agreements tied to Most-Favored-Nation pricing and imposing significant tariffs and other trade measures to reduce reliance on foreign production, noting that about 53 percent of patented pharmaceutical products and only 15 percent of patented APIs by volume were produced domestically as of 2025.

Adjusting Certain Delegations Under the Defense Production Act

Date: 2026-03-13

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: defense federal-regulations energy

AI-generated

The order directs federal agencies to amend prior delegations under the Defense Production Act by allowing the Secretary of Energy to exercise, independently of the Secretary of Commerce, any authority delegated under section 203 of Executive Order 13603, and clarifies that agency heads need only recommend action to the President under section 2(a) of Executive Order 14156 when the authority is vested solely in the President and has not been delegated. It specifies that these changes do not alter legal authorities of agencies or the Director of OMB, must be implemented consistent with law and available appropriations, and that the Department of Energy will bear the publication costs.

U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, 2026

Date: 2026-03-09

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: foreign-policy defense

AI-generated

This proclamation declares March 9, 2026, as U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, recognizing Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained and commemorating the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. It highlights that the administration secured the release of 101 detained Americans in one year, brokered a deal to free hostages from Israel and Gaza, facilitated releases from Venezuela, Afghanistan, Russia, and Belarus, and states that an Executive Order now permits the Secretary of State to designate State Sponsors of Wrongful Detention and impose sanctions, travel restrictions, and inadmissibility on designated foreign nationals.

Commitment to Countering Cartel Criminal Activity

Date: 2026-03-07

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: defense foreign-policy public-safety

AI-generated

This proclamation designates the period of March 7, 2026 as the date on which the United States proclaims a commitment to dismantle criminal cartels and foreign terrorist organizations operating in the Western Hemisphere. The proclamation directs the Secretary of War and other federal agencies to coordinate with allied governments to deprive these groups of territory, financing, and resources, and to train and mobilize partner nation militaries to eliminate cartel control and influence.

Promoting the National Defense by Ensuring an Adequate Supply of Elemental Phosphorus and Glyphosate-Based Herbicides

Date: 2026-02-18

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: defense

AI-generated

The order directs federal agencies to ensure an adequate supply of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides, critical to both defense supply chains and agricultural productivity. It highlights the limited domestic production of these resources, with a single producer unable to meet annual needs, resulting in over 6 million kilograms of elemental phosphorus imported annually. The order stresses the national security implications of potential disruptions to these supply chains.

Strengthening United States National Defense with America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Power Generation Fleet

Date: 2026-02-11

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: defense energy federal-regulations

AI-generated

The order directs the Department of War (DOW), in coordination with the Department of Energy, to prioritize the preservation and strategic use of coal-based energy assets. This includes procuring power from the United States coal generation fleet through long-term Power Purchase Agreements or similar contracts with coal-fired energy production facilities. The primary focus is on projects that enhance grid reliability, on-site fuel security, and mission assurance for defense and intelligence capabilities.

Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of Iran

Date: 2026-02-06

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: foreign-policy defense international-trade

AI-generated

The order directs federal agencies to continue addressing threats posed by the Government of Iran, citing a continued national emergency due to the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. It maintains sanctions and property blocking measures previously imposed to apply financial pressure on the Iranian regime and address serious human rights abuses in Iran. The order also indicates that additional measures may be necessary to deal with this national emergency, but does not specify what these might be.

Establishing an America First Arms Transfer Strategy

Date: 2026-02-06

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: defense foreign-policy industry

AI-generated

The order directs federal agencies to establish and implement an America First Arms Transfer Strategy. This strategy aims to use arms transfers as a tool of foreign policy and to expand domestic production capacity. The Secretary of War is instructed to use arms sales and transfers to increase production, support domestic reindustrialization, promote innovation, and build supply chain resilience. The strategy also prioritizes arms sales to partners that invest in their own defense, play a critical role in U.S. operations, or contribute to U.S. economic security.

Modifying Duties to Address Threats to the United States by the Government of the Russian Federation

Date: 2026-02-06

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: foreign-policy international-trade defense

AI-generated

The order directs federal agencies to eliminate the additional 25 percent ad valorem duty on imports from India. This decision comes after India's commitment to stop importing Russian Federation oil and increase its purchase of United States energy products, as well as its pledge to expand defense cooperation with the United States over the next decade. The removal of the tariff is deemed necessary to address the national emergency declared in response to the actions of the Russian Federation.

Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of Cuba

Date: 2026-01-29

Source: whitehouse.gov

Type: presidential-action

Action areas: foreign-policy defense civil-rights

AI-generated

The order directs federal agencies to address threats to the United States by the Government of Cuba. It identifies the Government of Cuba as an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, citing Cuba's alignment and support for various hostile countries, transnational terrorist groups, and malign actors. The order also highlights Cuba's hosting of Russia's largest overseas signals intelligence facility and its deep intelligence and defense cooperation with the People's Republic of China.