Tracking presidential actions and other news.
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The Trump White House said it had rescinded a Biden-era policy that required hospitals to provide emergency abortions to women whose health was threatened, including in states that have banned abortion. While the policy memo is rescinded, the administration's statement said hospitals are still required to provide emergency care.
The order directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to undergo reforms aimed at promoting nuclear energy and improving efficiency. The NRC is tasked with facilitating the deployment of new nuclear reactor technologies, increasing U.S. nuclear energy capacity from 100 GW in 2024 to 400 GW by 2050, and ensuring the continued operation of the current nuclear fleet. The NRC is also instructed to reorganize its structure to expedite license applications and adopt innovative technology, including creating a team to draft new regulations.
The order directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to expedite the review, approval, and deployment of advanced nuclear reactors. The DOE is instructed to issue guidance on what constitutes a qualified test reactor within 60 days, and to revise its regulations, guidance, and practices to expedite the deployment of such reactors within 90 days. The aim is to have qualified test reactors operational at DOE-owned or controlled facilities within two years of a substantially complete application being submitted.
The order directs federal agencies to enhance the integrity and transparency of scientific research, in response to concerns about the reproducibility and credibility of scientific findings. The directive emphasizes the need for rigorous, unbiased peer review and data transparency, and the use of the most reliable and impartial scientific evidence in federal decisions. It also calls for acknowledging scientific uncertainties and ensuring accurate communication of scientific data. [Editor's note: Despite the language about 'open science' in this order, it requires researchers to seek review from agency political appointees, among other anti-science requirements. More discussion here.]
The order directs federal agencies to enforce the "Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act", or the “TAKE IT DOWN” Act. This law introduces criminal penalties for intentional disclosure of nonconsensual intimate visual depictions and mandates covered platforms to remove such content.
The Food and Drug Adminstration said Tuesday that it will limit Covid-19 vaccinations to people 65 and older. People at high risk seriously illness if they become infected will also be allowed Covid shots. The FDA will also require manufacturers to conduct clinical trials to show whether the vaccines benefit healthy younger adults and children.
The Food and Drug Administration said this week it would start the process of removing children's prescription fluoride drops and tablets from the market. FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary said he's instructed agency scientists to evaluate the evidence that fluoride is harmful. Dentists adamantly disagree that fluoride in recommended dosages is harmful.
The order directs federal agencies to implement most-favored-nation prescription drug pricing for American consumers. The Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative are instructed to prevent foreign countries from engaging in practices that force American patients to subsidize global pharmaceutical research and development. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is tasked to facilitate programs for direct-to-consumer sales at the most-favored-nation price and to set price targets in line with those in comparably developed nations. If significant progress is not made, the Secretary is authorized to propose rulemaking to impose most-favored-nation pricing and consider allowing importation of prescription drugs from developed nations with low-cost prescription drugs.
Early Friday the acting head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed a notification with the Federal Register stating that the agency would not enforce 67 "guidance" documents while they were undergoing review. The documents include policy statements, interpretive rules, advisory opinions, and other guidance that stretch back to the bureau's founding in 2011.
The Federal Trade Commission said it would delay enforcement of its 'click-to-cancel' rule from May 14 to July 14. The rule, if it is adopted, will require companies to make canceling a service or subscription as simple and easy as signing up for it. The FTC board voted 3-0 for this delay; two of the board members were absent from the vote, as they were previously illegally fired by the president.
President Trump fired Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter, according to press reports. Earlier this week the president fired her boss, the Librarian of Congress (see notice below). Perlmutter's removal comes after her office had published the third part of a lengthy report that raised concerns about the usage of copyrighted materials by AI.
The order directs federal agencies to establish Project Homecoming, which aims to encourage undocumented immigrants to voluntarily leave the United States with financial assistance from the Federal Government. The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security are instructed to create processes, including the use of technology like the "CBP Home" application, to facilitate the rapid departure of the undocumented. The order also includes the provision of financial incentives or "exit bonuses" for each alien who voluntarily departs. It also mandates a communications campaign to inform aliens about these options and the consequences of choosing to stay without documentation.
The order directs federal agencies to reduce the regulatory burden on American citizens by discouraging criminal enforcement of regulatory offenses. It emphasizes that prosecution should be reserved for those who knowingly violate regulations, causing or risking public harm. Agencies are encouraged to consider civil or administrative enforcement for strict liability regulatory offenses. Furthermore, agencies are required to provide a report detailing all criminal regulatory offenses enforceable by the agency or the Department of Justice, including potential penalties and applicable mental state standards for these offenses, within 365 days.
The order directs the Archivist of the United States, through the Office of the Federal Register, to collaborate with the Director of the Government Publishing Office to reduce publication delays and modernize systems. The Archivist is also required to review and adjust the fee schedules for publication in the Federal Register, ensuring that fees reflect the actual costs of publication. The order specifies that agencies are currently charged between $151-$174 per column of text to publish each rule in the Federal Register.
The order directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a National Center for Warrior Independence on the West Los Angeles VA Campus to provide care, benefits, and services to homeless veterans. It also instructs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to coordinate with other departments to redirect funds intended for other services towards this center. Additionally, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is instructed to use vouchers to support homeless veterans. The order also calls for increased accountability and service excellence within the Department of Veterans Affairs. The goal is to restore the capacity to house up to 6,000 homeless veterans at the National Center for Warrior Independence by January 1, 2028.
The order directs federal agencies, specifically the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of the Army, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to implement measures to prevent the spread of invasive carp in the Great Lakes Basin. This includes supporting the Brandon Road Interbasin Project, a joint project involving the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the States of Illinois and Michigan, designed to prevent invasive carp from reaching the Great Lakes. The federal government has allocated $274 million for this project and urges Illinois to acquire the necessary land to begin construction by July 1, 2025.
The order directs the Secretary of Energy to consider rescinding or amending water and energy use regulations related to various household appliances, including faucets, showers, toilets, and washing machines. These regulations, initially implemented under the Energy Policy Act of 1992, are specified in various sections of the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.). The Secretary of Energy is also instructed to publish a notice in the Federal Register regarding the waiver of federal preemption of state regulations concerning water use or efficiency of these appliances. Finally, the Secretary of Energy and the Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs are directed to prepare recommendations for Congress to rescind certain sections of the U.S. Code or repeal the Energy Policy Act of 199
The FDA announced it was extending the 60-day comment period before the Biden-era food safey rule takes effect. The rule will require nutrition labeling on the front of packaging and clearly show if amounts of fat, sugar, and salt in the product are "High," "Medium," or "Low." If finalized, food producers would have three years to comply.
The order directs federal agencies to increase oversight and security of biological research, especially gain-of-function research. The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), in coordination with other agencies, is instructed to end federal funding of such research in countries where there is insufficient oversight. The OSTP is also tasked with revising or replacing the 2024 policies for oversight of dual use research and nucleic acid synthesis screening within 120 and 90 days, respectively.
The proclamation designates May 4 through May 10, 2025, as National Hurricane Preparedness Week. It encourages citizens, particularly those in hurricane-prone areas, to prepare for potential disasters by creating evacuation plans and gathering essential supplies. Additionally, it highlights the signing of an executive order that gives state and local authorities a larger role in resilience, preparedness, and rapid-response efforts for hurricanes.
The order directs federal agencies to streamline regulations and facilitate domestic production of critical pharmaceutical products. Specifically, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, is to review existing regulations and guidance within 180 days, eliminating any unnecessary requirements and accelerating the development of domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing. The order also instructs the FDA Commissioner to improve the inspection process of foreign manufacturing facilities within 90 days.
The order directs federal agencies and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) Board of Directors to cease federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). The CPB board is instructed to cancel existing direct and indirect funding to the maximum extent allowed by law and decline to provide future funding. Additionally, all executive departments and agencies are instructed to identify and terminate any direct or indirect funding of NPR and PBS.
The proclamation designates May 1, 2025, as Loyalty Day and Law Day, U.S.A. It calls on all Americans to reflect on the importance of the rule of law and display the American flag in support of this national observance. Government officials are urged to display the flag on all government buildings and grounds on this day.
The order directs federal agencies to establish the Religious Liberty Commission. This Commission, composed of up to 14 appointed members and ex officio members including the Attorney General, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, is tasked with producing a comprehensive report on the foundations of religious liberty in America, its impact on society, current threats to it, strategies to preserve and enhance protections for future generations, and programs to increase awareness of and celebrate America’s peaceful religious pluralism. The Commission will also examine specific areas such as First Amendment rights, attacks on houses of worship, and parents’ authority over their children's education.
The order directs federal agencies to enforce English proficiency requirements for commercial vehicle operators. The Secretary of Transportation, through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), is instructed to rescind a 2016 guidance document and issue new guidance to ensure compliance with English language proficiency requirements. The FMCSA is also directed to review non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses for irregularities and improve verification of driving credentials. Additionally, the Secretary of Transportation is tasked with identifying actions to improve the working conditions of truck drivers.
The order directs federal agencies to identify and take action against jurisdictions that obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration laws, often referred to as "sanctuary" jurisdictions. The Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security are instructed to publish a list of these jurisdictions, notify them of their noncompliance, and pursue legal remedies to bring them into compliance. Additionally, the order mandates the suspension or termination of federal funds to these jurisdictions, as well as the development of mechanisms to verify eligibility for federal public benefits in these areas. It also requires action against local laws favoring aliens over American citizens.
The order directs federal agencies to provide resources and support to state and local law enforcement. The Attorney General is instructed to establish a mechanism to provide legal resources to law enforcement officers who face expenses and liabilities for actions taken in their official duties. The Attorney General and other relevant agency heads are also directed to maximize the use of federal resources to provide best practices, expand training, increase pay and benefits, and strengthen legal protections for law enforcement officers. Additionally, the Attorney General and the Secretary of Defense are instructed to increase the provision of military and national security assets to assist local law enforcement. The Attorney General is also tasked with pursuing legal remedies against state and local officials who obstruct law enforcement or engage in discrimination under the guise of diversity initiatives.
A Biden Administration regulation to tighten inspections at poultry plants is withdrawn by the USDA. The rule would have required chicken producers to limit levels of salmonella bacteria in their products.
The order directs Federal agencies to review all regulations under their authority and identify those that may be anti-competitive. The heads of these agencies are to collaborate with the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General, and within 70 days, provide a list of such regulations and recommendations for their rescission or modification. The Chairman, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, will then consolidate these lists and decide on the proposed changes.
The order directs Federal agencies to review all regulations under their rulemaking authority, in consultation with the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General. This review is aimed at identifying regulations that create monopolies, unnecessary barriers to new market entrants, limit competition, unduly limit competition through licensure or accreditation requirements, burden procurement processes, or impose anti-competitive restraints on the free market. Within 70 days, agency heads must provide a list of such regulations and recommendations for rescission or modification due to their anti-competitive effects.