Directives Published December 2025
Directive Watch is your source for clear, concise explanation of Presidential directives and executive orders issued by the White House.
We break down the technical legal jargon of each directive, explaining in plain language what it means and its potential impact.
Summary
- 16th Dec 25 * The President continued, modified, and imposed new entry restrictions and limitations on foreign nationals from numerous countries based on deficient security screening and vetting information, effective January 1, 2026. View
- 15th Dec 25 The President proclaimed December 15, 2025, as Bill of Rights Day to commemorate the ratification of the Bill of Rights and the 250th anniversary of American independence. View
- 15th Dec 25 * Illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals were designated as Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), mandating immediate interagency implementation to counter the associated national security threats. View
- 12th Dec 25 * Directed the SEC, FTC, and Department of Labor to review and revise regulations concerning foreign-owned proxy advisors, explicitly targeting advice based on ESG and DEI factors to restore focus on investor returns. View
- 11th Dec 25 * The President established a policy prioritizing a minimally burdensome national AI framework over conflicting state laws, directed the Justice Department to litigate against onerous state AI laws, and moved to restrict federal funding for states enforcing such conflicting regulations. View
- 6th Dec 25 * Established Food Supply Chain Security Task Forces within the DOJ and FTC to investigate anti-competitive behavior and foreign control threats in the food supply chain. View
- 6th Dec 25 The President proclaimed December 7, 2025, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, encouraging Americans to honor those killed in the 1941 attack and to fly the flag at half-staff. View
- 6th Dec 25 The President directed the Secretary of HHS and the CDC Director to review and potentially update the U.S. core childhood vaccine schedule to align with best practices from peer, developed countries based on scientific evidence. View
- 5th Dec 25 The President proclaimed December 7, 2025, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, urging Americans to honor the service members and civilians killed in the 1941 attack. View
- 4th Dec 25 * The President ordered the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff nationwide and abroad until sunset on December 4, 2025, to honor the memory of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, West Virginia Army National Guard. View
- 2nd Dec 25 * The administration reaffirmed and augmented the historical Monroe Doctrine with a "Trump Corollary," emphasizing national sovereignty, border security, maritime dominance, and new trade partnerships across the Western Hemisphere. View
- 1st Dec 25 The Administration transmitted several nominations for federal judicial and attorney roles to the Senate for their consideration. View
Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States
This Presidential Proclamation, building upon Executive Order 14161 and Proclamation 10949, continues and modifies restrictions on the entry of foreign nationals from specific countries deemed to have deficient screening, vetting, and information-sharing capabilities that pose national security and public safety risks.
The President finds that unrestricted entry from these nations is detrimental to U.S. interests, citing issues like unreliable civil documentation, widespread corruption, cooperation failures (such as refusing to accept repatriated nationals), and high visa overstay rates.
The proclamation fully suspends entry for nationals of 19 countries (12 continuing from previous action and 7 new additions) and partially suspends or modifies restrictions for 4 others, while also suspending entry for individuals using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority, and it narrows exceptions, particularly for family-based immigrant visas.
Bill of Rights Day, 2025
This presidential action, issued on December 15, 2025, proclaims that date as Bill of Rights Day, marking the 250th anniversary of American independence and celebrating the ratification of the Bill of Rights.
The President recounts the historical context provided by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, emphasizing that these core amendments secure fundamental freedoms like speech, arms possession, due process, and protection against cruel punishment.
The proclamation reaffirms a commitment to upholding constitutional heritage, restoring the rule of law, and preserving a free, self-governing Republic for future generations, calling upon the American people and educators to observe the day with appropriate activities.
DESIGNATING FENTANYL AS A WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION
A Presidential Action formally designates illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals as Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) based on their lethal nature, the national security threat posed by the cartels manufacturing them, and the potential for weaponization.
The order directs relevant executive departments, including Justice, State, Treasury, Defense, and Homeland Security, to take immediate and appropriate actions to implement this designation, involving enhanced investigations, prosecutions, financial sanctions, military support for domestic enforcement, and intelligence gathering using WMD counter-proliferation frameworks.
Protecting American Investors from Foreign-Owned and Politically-Motivated Proxy Advisors
This Presidential Action directs multiple federal agencies to increase oversight, transparency, and competition within the proxy advisor industry, which is dominated by two foreign-owned firms, Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass, Lewis & Co.
The order specifically mandates that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) review and potentially revise rules related to proxy advice and shareholder proposals, focusing on eliminating advice based on non-pecuniary factors like DEI and ESG. Furthermore, it tasks the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with investigating antitrust concerns and requires the Department of Labor to strengthen fiduciary standards under ERISA to ensure proxy advice serves the sole financial interest of retirement plan participants.
Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence
This Presidential Action establishes the policy that the United States must sustain global Artificial Intelligence (AI) dominance through a minimally burdensome national framework, overriding conflicting state regulations that threaten innovation.
The order mandates the creation of an AI Litigation Task Force within the Justice Department to challenge specific state AI laws deemed unlawful or unduly burdensome.
Furthermore, it directs the Department of Commerce and the Federal Trade Commission to evaluate existing state laws—identifying those that compel alterations to truthful AI outputs—and establishes mechanisms to restrict federal funding for states maintaining conflicting regulations, while instructing staff to prepare a unified legislative recommendation for Congress.
Addressing Security Risks from Price Fixing and Anti-Competitive Behavior in the Food Supply Chain
This Presidential Action establishes Food Supply Chain Security Task Forces within the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate anti-competitive behavior, including price fixing, and assess risks posed by foreign control over U.S. food-related industries.
The initiative aims to ensure an affordable and secure food supply by empowering these agencies to take necessary enforcement actions, initiate criminal proceedings if appropriate, and brief Congress on progress and potential legislative recommendations within 180 and 365 days of issuance.
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2025
This Presidential Proclamation officially designates December 7, 2025, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, honoring the 2,403 Americans killed in the unprovoked Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, which thrust the United States into World War II. The President reflects on the courage of the "Greatest Generation," emphasizes the enduring, strong alliance with Japan today, and encourages all Americans to observe the day with reverence, including flying the U.S. flag at half-staff to remember those patriots who died defending the homeland.
Aligning United States Core Childhood Vaccine Recommendations with Best Practices from Peer, Developed Countries
This Presidential Memorandum directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to review the core childhood vaccine recommendations in the United States against the vaccination policies of peer, developed countries, noting the U.S. currently recommends more vaccinations than most international counterparts.
If the review determines that peer country practices are superior based on scientific evidence, the memorandum orders an update to the U.S. core childhood vaccine schedule accordingly, while ensuring continued access to all currently available vaccines.
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2025
President Donald J. Trump issued a Proclamation establishing December 7, 2025, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, commemorating the 84th anniversary of the unprovoked 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor by the Empire of Japan that drew the United States into World War II. The document reflects on the sacrifice of the 'Greatest Generation,' acknowledges the current strong alliance with Japan, and calls upon all Americans and Federal agencies to observe the solemn day with appropriate ceremonies and to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff.
The document is a Presidential Proclamation ordering that the flag of the United States be flown at half-staff at the White House, all public buildings, military posts, naval stations, and embassies until sunset on December 4, 2025.
This action is taken as a mark of respect for the memory of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom of the West Virginia Army National Guard.
America 250: Presidential Message on the Anniversary of the Monroe Doctrine
This document, framed as a presidential message related to the anniversary of the Monroe Doctrine, reaffirms the U.S. commitment to sovereignty in the Western Hemisphere, introducing a "Trump Corollary" that asserts American control over the destiny of the hemisphere, free from foreign or globalist institutions.
The administration highlights achievements such as restoring privileged Panama Canal access, bolstering maritime dominance, disrupting international supply chain practices, halting drug flows from Mexico, securing the southern border against illegal immigration, dismantling narco-terrorist networks, and securing new trade deals with several Central and South American nations as evidence of this vigorous, America-first approach to hemispheric leadership and security.
Nominations Sent to the Senate
This document publishes a list of recent nominations sent to the Senate for confirmation, specifically naming individuals for U.S. Attorney, U.S. District Judge, and D.C. Superior Court positions, signaling the executive branch's execution of its appointing authority.