Directives Published April 2026
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
- 3rd Apr 26 The President issued an executive order establishing federal review mechanisms, definitions, and encouraged governing bodies to adopt new rules for college athletics—focusing on eligibility, transfers, and NIL payments—to protect the financial stability of universities and preserve non-revenue-generating sports, effective August 1, 2026. View
- 3rd Apr 26 * The President directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to use available funds to provide back pay and benefits to all DHS employees affected by a government shutdown, citing a national security emergency. View
- 2nd Apr 26 * The President imposed a 100% <em>ad valorem</em> tariff on specified imported patented pharmaceuticals and APIs under Section 232 authority, while setting lower tariff rates for companies committing to domestic onshoring and directing negotiation efforts to secure supply chains. View
- 2nd Apr 26 The President strengthened existing Section 232 tariffs on aluminum, steel, and copper imports by applying duties to the full customs value, setting new specific *ad valorem* rates, offering preferential rates, and altering the process for adding derivative articles. View
This Presidential Action addresses the perceived crisis in college sports driven by escalating financial arms races in football and basketball, coupled with inconsistent rules on athlete pay and eligibility resulting from judicial rulings and state legislation.
The order establishes new definitions for 'Improper financial activities' and 'Fraudulent NIL scheme,' and mandates executive agencies to assess compliance with new standards concerning eligibility, transfers, and revenue-sharing for federally funded institutions, effective August 1, 2026.
It strongly encourages Congress to pass legislation while simultaneously directing the Attorney General to challenge conflicting state laws and urging the relevant interstate athletic governing body to adopt specific national standards to protect women's and Olympic sports and ensure institutional financial responsibility.
Liberating the Department of Homeland Security From the Democrat-Caused Shutdown
This Presidential Memorandum, issued to the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, declares a national security emergency due to the failure of congressional Democrats to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), resulting in unpaid employees.
The President directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to use available DHS-related funds to immediately compensate all DHS employees for the pay and benefits they missed during the shutdown, ensuring that critical operations like border security and disaster response (FEMA) remain staffed and capable until Congress reinstates regular funding.
Adjusting Imports of Pharmaceuticals and Pharmaceutical Ingredients into the United States
This Presidential Proclamation directs adjustments to the importation of patented pharmaceuticals and associated active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) based on a finding that current import levels threaten national security by creating overreliance on foreign supply chains for critical medications.
The President imposes a 100% ad valorem tariff on these imports, while simultaneously offering reduced rates (20% or 0%) to companies that commit to or achieve onshoring of production and pricing agreements, and grants zero tariffs to certain specialized pharmaceutical categories.
The action also directs federal departments to pursue negotiation agreements to further secure domestic supply and requires monitoring of generic drug imports, though no immediate tariffs are placed on generics.
This Presidential Proclamation modifies and strengthens existing Section 232 tariff regimes on imports of aluminum, steel, and copper, building upon prior actions established in Proclamations 9704, 9705, and 10962.
The President determined that the tariffs are effectively strengthening domestic industries, but further adjustments are necessary to address identified national security threats more completely.
Key modifications include applying the additional *ad valorem* duties to the full customs value of imported articles and their derivatives, regardless of the percentage of metal content, while setting new specific tariff rates (50% or 25%) for certain articles and granting reduced rates for products sourced from the United Kingdom or made entirely from U.S. metals.
The proclamation also terminates prior inclusion processes for derivative articles, authorizing the Secretary of Commerce and the Trade Representative to jointly determine future inclusions.