Tracking presidential actions and other news.
21 posts
The proclamation designates May 9, 2025, as Military Spouse Day, encouraging the public to honor military spouses with appropriate ceremonies and activities. It acknowledges the challenges faced by military spouses, including a 21 percent unemployment rate and a 25 percent wage gap compared to civilian counterparts. The proclamation also highlights efforts to improve military spouse employment, such as enhancing job opportunities within the Federal Government, expanding licensure portability, and increasing remote and flexible job options.
The proclamation designates the third Saturday of each May as Armed Forces Day. It invites Governors of the States, Territories, and other areas under U.S. jurisdiction to organize observances of Armed Forces Day to increase public understanding and appreciation of the military. The proclamation also encourages all Americans to display the U.S. flag at their homes and businesses on this day and to participate in local observances. This proclamation supersedes Proclamation 10762 of May 17, 2024.
The proclamation marks May 22, 2025, as National Maritime Day, honoring the role of the United States Merchant Marine and the maritime industry in national defense and economic strength. It recognizes the historical significance of the S.S. Savannah's transatlantic voyage and the contributions of merchant mariners, including their service during World War II. The proclamation also notes a recent executive order aimed at restoring America's maritime dominance through investment in shipbuilding, regulatory changes, and expanding mariner training. It encourages citizens to observe this day and display the American flag.
The order directs citizens and government officials to observe Memorial Day, May 26, 2025, as a day of prayer for permanent peace. It designates 11:00 a.m. as a time for unified prayer and 3:00 p.m. as the National Moment of Remembrance. Additionally, the order requests that flags be flown at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and in all areas under its jurisdiction and control. Citizens are also requested to display the flag at half-staff from their homes for the customary forenoon period.
The proclamation commemorates the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States Army. It directs the Department of Defense to update its medical standards related to transgender identification and reinstates service members dismissed for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, with full back pay and benefits. The proclamation also designates June 14, 2025, as a day of commemoration for this anniversary.
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 proclamation designates September 19, 2025, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. It calls upon federal, state, tribal, and local government officials, as well as private organizations, to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. The proclamation also reaffirms a commitment to pursuing full accountability for those captured and missing in action, mentioning the identification of the 100th service member from remains repatriated from North Korea.
This proclamation designates the last Sunday in September 2025 as Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day. It calls upon government officials to display the U.S. flag over government buildings and encourages the American public to hold ceremonies expressing the nation's gratitude and respect. This observation is in line with Senate Joint Resolution 115 of June 23, 1936, which established Gold Star Mother's Day.
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 War and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to use any available Department of War funds from Fiscal Year 2026 for the payment of military personnel salaries and allowances during the ongoing lapse in annual appropriations. The funds to be used should be those that have a logical connection to the pay and allowances of military personnel, as per applicable law. After the appropriations lapse concludes, the order instructs to adjust funding accounts within the Department of War to ensure the continuation of operations and activities as planned before the lapse.
The proclamation commemorates the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States Marine Corps. It calls for the display of the American flag over government buildings and encourages citizens to hold appropriate ceremonies to express national gratitude and respect for the Marine Corps' heritage. The administration commits over $150 billion to the Marine Corps to ensure military readiness and provide operational advantages.
This proclamation designates November 11, 2025, as Veterans Day, urging all Americans to honor the sacrifices of veterans. It also highlights recent federal actions aimed at improving veteran services, including the establishment of the National Center for Warrior Independence to house up to 6,000 homeless veterans by 2028, the opening of 16 new veteran health clinics, and the reduction of the backlog of veterans waiting for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits by over 37 percent. The proclamation also mentions the One Big Beautiful Bill, which makes the 2017 tax cut permanent and eliminates taxes on Social Security for most seniors.
The order directs federal agencies to fly the United States flag at half-staff at all public buildings, grounds, military posts, naval stations, and vessels within the U.S. and its territories and possessions until sunset, December 4, 2025, in honor of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom of the West Virginia Army National Guard. The same directive applies to all U.S. embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
The proclamation designates December 7, 2025, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in honor of the 2,403 American service members and civilians who lost their lives in the 1941 attack. It encourages all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Additionally, it urges federal agencies, organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff in honor of those who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor.
The proclamation designates December 7, 2025, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, honoring those who died during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. It encourages all Americans to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, and calls for the flag of the United States to be flown at half-staff. Federal agencies, organizations, groups, and individuals are urged to participate in this act of remembrance.
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 federal agencies to ensure that no college football playoff or other postseason college football game is broadcast in direct conflict with the Army‑Navy Game by coordinating an exclusive broadcast window for the second Saturday in December. It instructs the Secretary of Commerce and the FCC Chair to work with the CFP Committee, the NCAA, related organizations, appropriate government agencies, and broadcast/media rights partners to establish that exclusive window and directs the FCC Chair to consider reviewing broadcast licensees’ public interest obligations to determine whether the Army‑Navy Game should remain a national service event.
This proclamation designates May 8, 2026, as Military Spouse Day. It honors the contributions and sacrifices of military spouses and notes prior administration actions to improve federal employment opportunities, remote and flexible jobs, and licensure portability, while calling for continued work on employment, housing, childcare, healthcare, and education for military families.
This proclamation declares May 8, 2026, as Victory Day for World War II. It commemorates the Allied victory over Nazi Germany and honors the more than 250,000 Americans who died in the European campaign, urging remembrance of their sacrifice and a commitment to maintaining a strong U.S. Armed Forces to defend liberty.