Tracking presidential actions and other news.
57 posts
Fox News Personality Pete Hegseth Picked to Lead Trump II DOD.
Trump Fires Top General, Other Leaders, Nominates New Joint Chiefs Chairman. General Brown, three top JAG officers, Chief of Naval Operations all out. Retired USAF General Dan Caine is the new nominee. Replacements for the others TBD.
The order directs Federal agencies to modernize defense acquisitions and stimulate innovation within the defense industrial base. The Secretary of Defense is ordered to submit a plan for reforming the Department of Defense's acquisition processes within 60 days, prioritizing speed, flexibility, and execution. Furthermore, within 120 days, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of the Air Force, and Component Acquisition Executives, is directed to develop a plan to reform, right-size, and train the acquisition workforce.
The order directs Federal agencies to revitalize and rebuild domestic maritime industries and workforce for national security and economic prosperity. The Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (APNSA), in coordination with the Secretaries of State, Defense, Commerce, Labor, Transportation, Homeland Security, the United States Trade Representative, and other relevant executive departments, is required to submit a Maritime Action Plan within 210 days. Additionally, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretaries of Commerce, Transportation, and Homeland Security, is tasked with providing an assessment of investment options for the expansion of the Maritime Industrial Base within 180 days.
The head of a U.S. military base in Greenland was fired after she wrote and sent an email critical of Vice President Vance's comments during his visit to the base on March 31.
The order directs Federal agencies, specifically the Department of Defense, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Homeland Security, to take appropriate actions to secure the southern border of the United States. This includes providing for the use and jurisdiction by the Department of Defense over necessary Federal lands for military activities, such as border-barrier construction and the emplacement of detection and monitoring equipment. The Secretary of the Interior is also directed to allow the Department of Defense to use portions of the Roosevelt Reservation and may make withdrawals, reservations, and restrictions of public lands to enable the Department of Defense to address the emergency at the southern border.
Newly created "national defense areas" along New Mexico's border with Mexico is sowing confusion among immigrants, lawyers, and judges. The 60-foot wide strip of territory was declared a military defense zone by Trimp administration officials. Secretary of Defense Hegseth announced the new prosecutions in April.
This week a federal judge ordered that criminal trespassing charges be dropped on dozens of migrants caught along the border in New Mexico. The Trump II administration had declared a 60 foot strip of land along the border a military zone and that anyone caight there would be charged with trespassing on military property. The judge dismissed the charges because the migrants would have to know they were entering a restricted area beforehand, which prosecutors were unable to demonstrate.
Waited to include this one in the list until it became official because surely it couldn't possibly become official, could it? It has and the Defense Department will get to work renovating the 'luxury' gift jet so that it can be flown as Air Force One.
The order directs federal agencies to accelerate the development and deployment of advanced nuclear reactor technologies for national security purposes. It instructs the Department of Defense (DoD), specifically the Secretary of the Army, to establish a program for the use of nuclear energy and to begin operation of a nuclear reactor at a domestic military base by September 30, 2028. The Department of Energy (DoE) is directed to provide technical advice on the design, construction, and operation of these reactors, and to initiate the process for designating AI data centers as critical defense facilities. The order also aims to enhance the export of U.S. nuclear technology to allies and commercial partners.
The order directs federal agencies to revitalize the U.S. nuclear energy industrial base. The Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, is instructed to prepare a report with recommendations for supporting the management of spent nuclear fuel, developing advanced fuel cycle capabilities, and expanding domestic uranium conversion and enrichment capabilities. The order also emphasizes the need to secure civil nuclear supply chains and improve the efficiency of advanced nuclear reactors.
The U.S. Department of Defense is placing new restrictions on where journalists may roam within the Pentagon, unless accompanied by an approved DOD escort. The restricted areas include the offices of the Secretary of Defense, his aides, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In the memo announcing the new restrictions, the Secretary of Defense also announced that journalists would need to undergo a new credentialing process in the coming weeks.
The order directs federal agencies to enhance the security of American airspace from potential threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones. A Federal Task Force, led by the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, is established to review and propose solutions to UAS threats. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is instructed to establish a process for restricting drone flights over fixed site facilities and to make national security assessments in coordination with relevant agencies. The Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security are directed to ensure enforcement of laws against drone operators endangering public safety or violating airspace restrictions.
The order directs federal agencies to expedite the integration of drones, or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), into the National Airspace System, scale up domestic production, and promote the export of American-made drone technologies. The Secretary of Transportation, through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is tasked with issuing rules and guidelines for routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations, implementing artificial intelligence tools to expedite UAS waiver applications, and publishing an updated roadmap for UAS integration. The aim is to strengthen the domestic drone sector and reduce reliance on foreign sources.
The order directs the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Homeland Security to enhance security for the execution of federal immigration laws and protection of federal property. It calls for the temporary deployment of at least 2,000 National Guard personnel for a duration of 60 days or at the discretion of the Secretary of Defense. It also allows for the deployment of additional regular Armed Forces personnel as deemed necessary by the Secretary of Defense. [Editor's note: Lawfare provides a close reading of the directive, specifically what authority the National Guard will have (it may provide protection of federal agents and property, but cannot perform law enforcement) and the law and constitutional interpretation the order leans on.]
The Trump administration has activated 700 active-duty Marines to support National Guardsmen tasked with protecting federal property and federal immigration enforcement agents. Protests have erupted at a Downtown Los Angeles immigrant detention center and elsewhere around the city in response to DHS efforts to detain undocumented immigrants. Marines are expected to begin arriving in the city Tuesday. California's governor has slammed the deployments as unconstitutional and intended to heighten tensions around DHS tactics, and the Los Angeles Chief of Police has also been critical.
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 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 directs federal agencies to adjust copper imports due to concerns of national security and economic stability. The Secretary of Commerce has recommended measures including a 30% import duty on semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivative products, a phased universal tariff on refined copper starting at 15% in 2027 and 30% in 2028, and a domestic sales requirement for copper input materials starting at 25% in 2027. Furthermore, a 25% domestic sales requirement for high-quality copper scrap and export controls for the same are advised.
The order notes several nominees to various roles. Thomas Albus is to be U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, Timothy Dill and Maurice Todd to be Assistant Secretaries of Defense, Andrew Duva to be an Assistant Attorney General, and Daniel Edwards to be an Assistant Secretary of Transportation. Other appointments include Ho Nieh as a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Michael Payne as Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation at the Department of Defense, and Douglas Troutman as Assistant Administrator for Toxic Substances of the Environmental Protection Agency. Thomas Ferguson III, Richard Price, and Darin Smith are to be U.S. Attorneys for different districts.
The order directs the Secretary of Defense to mobilize the District of Columbia National Guard to address the high rate of violent crime in Washington, D.C. The Secretary is also instructed to coordinate with state governors and authorize additional National Guard members for active service as needed. The mobilization and active service will continue until it is determined that law and order have been restored in the District of Columbia.
The order directs federal agencies to enhance competition in the commercial space industry by streamlining commercial license and permit approvals for U.S.-based operators. The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, is instructed to expedite the Department of Transportation's environmental reviews for launch and reentry licenses and permits. The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Administrator of NASA, is directed to conduct an evaluation of relevant states' compliance under the Coastal Zone Management Act and its impact on spaceport infrastructure development.
This proclamation commemorates the fourth anniversary of the attack at Abbey Gate in 2025. It honors the memory of the 13 U.S. Armed Forces members who were killed in a suicide bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan. The proclamation also renews a commitment to never forget the fallen patriots, to protect American lives, uphold American sovereignty, and defend American interests.
The order directs the Department of Defense to adopt the secondary name "Department of War," with the Secretary of Defense also bearing the additional title of "Secretary of War." This applies to subordinate officials within the Department as well, who may use corresponding secondary titles. The order also instructs the Secretary of War to recommend actions necessary to permanently change the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War.
The order directs federal agencies, specifically the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, to counter domestic terrorism and organized political violence. The agencies are instructed to develop a law enforcement strategy that investigates all participants in these criminal activities, including their organized structures, networks, funding sources, and preceding actions. The order also mandates a national strategy to investigate and disrupt networks that promote political violence, with the aim of intervening in criminal conspiracies before they result in violent acts.
The order directs federal agencies to guarantee the security and territorial integrity of the State of Qatar against external attacks. It requires the United States to consider any armed attack on Qatar as a threat to U.S. peace and security, and mandates the U.S. to take all lawful measures, including diplomatic, economic, and potentially military, to defend U.S. and Qatari interests. The Secretary of War, Secretary of State, and the Director of National Intelligence are instructed to maintain joint contingency planning with Qatar, and the Secretary of State is directed to reaffirm this assurance to Qatar and continue partnering with them for conflict resolution and mediation.
The order directs the Secretary of Commerce to adjust imports of timber, lumber, and derivative wood products into the United States, due to their import quantities and circumstances threatening national security. The Secretary of Commerce found that current import circumstances are weakening the domestic wood industry and could impair the ability to meet demands for wood products crucial to national defense and critical infrastructure. The order calls for adopting a plan of action that imposes tariffs to adjust these imports, although specific tariff rates are not mentioned.
The order directs the Secretary of War, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Homeland Security to enhance security in Illinois, specifically around federal facilities. It calls for at least 300 members of the Illinois National Guard to be federally deployed to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Federal Protective Services (FPS), and other U.S. Government personnel, as well as federal property in Illinois. The duration of this federal service is specified to be 60 days or at the discretion of the Secretary of War.
The order directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in collaboration with the Office of Management and Budget and the President's National Security and Homeland Security Advisors, to develop a plan for the construction of up to four Arctic Security Cutters. This plan, which is to be completed within 60 days, is aimed at addressing national security risks posed by insufficient Arctic-capable vessels. The order also allows for the temporary construction of these vessels abroad while promoting domestic development of future icebreakers. This authorization will end 4 years from the date of the memorandum unless extended or terminated earlier.
The order directs federal agencies to adjust imports of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, their parts, and buses into the United States to address national security concerns. The Secretary of Commerce, after investigating, found these types of imports to be potentially harmful to national security and recommended actions such as imposing a 25 percent ad valorem duty on these vehicles and their key parts, and a 10 percent ad valorem duty on buses. The goal of these adjustments is to stabilize the market share of U.S.-produced medium and heavy-duty vehicles at approximately 80 percent.
The order directs federal agencies to nominate several individuals to various positions. William J. Crain, Alexander C. Van Hook, and Brian Barber are to be United States District Judges and United States Marshal, respectively, for different districts in Louisiana. Brian Birdwell is nominated as an Assistant Secretary of Defense, John Breslow as an Ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus, Wesley Brooks as an Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, and Edward Eppler as Chief Financial Officer, Department of Transportation. Several others are nominated for roles as United States Attorneys and Marshals for various districts. The nominations of Jeffrey Bornstein and Kevin O’Farrell have been withdrawn.
The order directs federal agencies to exempt certain stationary sources, specifically domestic copper smelters, from compliance with the Copper Rule for an additional 2 years beyond the original compliance dates. The Copper Rule, implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency, imposes new emissions-control requirements on primary copper smelters. The exemption is based on the determination that the technology to implement the Copper Rule is not commercially viable and that maintaining domestic copper smelting capacity is vital to the country's national security and economic strength.
The order directs the Environmental Protection Agency to exempt certain stationary sources from compliance with sections of the Coke Oven Rule for an additional two years beyond the current compliance dates. The Coke Oven Rule, which imposes new emissions-control requirements on coke oven facilities, has been cited as placing severe burdens on the coke production industry, with the technology required for compliance not yet existing in a commercially viable form. The exemption is intended to prevent possible harm to the domestic coke production industry and the potential impact on national security and infrastructure.
The order directs federal agencies to reaffirm the Monroe Doctrine under a new "Trump Corollary," emphasizing U.S. sovereignty and the principle of non-interference from foreign nations in the Western Hemisphere. It includes actions such as restoring U.S. privileged access through the Panama Canal, reestablishing American maritime dominance, disrupting non-market practices in international supply chain and logistics sectors, and halting the flow of drugs through Mexico. The order also mentions securing trade deals with El Salvador, Argentina, Ecuador, and Guatemala for improved market access.
The order directs federal agencies to treat illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals as Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). The Attorney General is instructed to pursue investigations and prosecutions into fentanyl trafficking. The Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury are to take actions against assets and financial institutions involved in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of illicit fentanyl. The Secretary of War and the Attorney General will assess if the threat of fentanyl warrants the provision of resources from the Department of War to the Department of Justice. The Secretary of Homeland Security is directed to identify threat networks related to fentanyl smuggling.
The order directs federal agencies to prioritize American space superiority through various initiatives. This includes returning Americans to the moon by 2028, establishing a lunar outpost by 2030, and enhancing commercial launch services. The order also mandates the development of next-generation missile defense technologies by 2028 and the creation of a national security space architecture. It aims to foster economic growth by attracting at least $50 billion of additional investment in American space markets by 2028 and replacing the International Space Station with a commercial alternative by 2030. Additionally, the order encourages the utilization of space nuclear power, with a goal to deploy a lunar surface reactor by 2030.
The order directs HieFo Corporation to divest all interests and rights in the digital chips and related wafer design, fabrication, and processing businesses of Emcore Corporation, citing potential national security threats. The divestment must be completed and verified within 180 calendar days, unless extended by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). During this period, HieFo is prohibited from granting access to the Emcore assets or any non-public technical information to non-HieFo personnel, unless approved by CFIUS.
The order directs federal agencies to prioritize the performance of defense contractors, ensuring they meet the needs of the military in a timely and quality-controlled manner. It restricts defense contractors from issuing dividends or conducting stock buy-backs until they can deliver superior products on time and on budget. The order tasks the Secretary of War with identifying underperforming contractors and working with them to improve their performance, with potential enforcement actions under the Defense Production Act and Federal Acquisition Regulations if necessary.
The order directs the Secretary of Commerce to address the impact of imports of processed critical minerals and their derivative products (PCMDPs) on the national security of the United States. The Secretary's investigation found that these imports threaten national security due to their essential role in industries such as defense and commercial supply chains, and the production of advanced weapons systems, energy infrastructure, and consumer goods. The Secretary also identified a reliance on foreign sources for these imports, which creates a national security vulnerability and risks supply chain disruptions and economic instability. As of 2024, the U.S. was 100% reliant on imports for 12 critical minerals and over 50% reliant for 29 additional critical minerals.
The order directs federal agencies to adjust imports of semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and their derivative products into the United States. The Secretary of Commerce has determined that the current quantity and circumstances of these imports pose a threat to national security and economy, as the United States is heavily reliant on foreign supply chains for these items. The country currently manufactures only about 10% of the semiconductors it needs, despite consuming approximately a quarter of the world's semiconductors.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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