Directives Published August 2025
Presidential directives and executive orders issued by the White House in August 2025.
Summary
- 14th Aug 25 President Trump proclaimed August 14, 2025, as the 90th Anniversary of the Social Security Act. View
- 13th Aug 25 President Trump revoked Executive Order 14036, Promoting Competition in the American Economy, and established general provisions for implementing the revocation. View
- 13th Aug 25 The president ordered several federal agencies to streamline regulations, expedite permit approvals for commercial space launches and spaceport development, and create a new process for authorizing novel space activities to enhance American competitiveness in the space industry. View
- 13th Aug 25 The President ordered the replenishment of the Strategic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Reserve (SAPIR) with a six-month supply of APIs for critical medicines, mandated the planning for a second SAPIR, and directed updates to essential medicines lists. View
- 12th Aug 25 The President extended the suspension of additional tariffs on selected Chinese goods, citing ongoing progress in trade discussions with the PRC. View
- 11th Aug 25 The President mobilized the D.C. National Guard and authorized additional National Guard deployments to address rising crime rates in Washington D.C. View
- 11th Aug 25 A crime emergency was declared in the District of Columbia, and the Metropolitan Police Department was federally authorized to maintain law and order, protect federal property, and ensure the federal government's orderly functions. View
- 7th Aug 25 The President issued an order directing the Department of Labor and the Securities and Exchange Commission to revise regulations and guidance to increase access to alternative asset investments in 401(k) and similar plans. View
- 7th Aug 25 Federal banking regulators were directed to remove politicized debanking considerations from their guidance and investigate institutions engaging in such practices; the SBA was tasked with reinstating clients unfairly denied services. View
- 7th Aug 25 The President directed the Secretary of Education to improve the IPEDS data system, expand admissions reporting requirements, and increase accuracy checks of submitted data to enhance transparency in higher education. View
- 7th Aug 25 The President issued an executive order improving oversight of federal grantmaking, implementing stricter review processes, revising grant terms, and strengthening accountability for the use of taxpayer funds. View
- 6th Aug 25 A 25 percent ad valorem duty was imposed on Indian imports due to indirect imports of Russian oil, monitoring mechanisms were put in place for further action, and a delegation of authority for order implementation was made. View
- 5th Aug 25 A White House Task Force was established to coordinate federal planning and response related to the security and logistics of the 2028 Summer Olympics. View
- 1st Aug 25 Increased tariffs on specific Canadian goods to 35%, implemented additional penalties for transshipment to evade duties, and established a framework for monitoring and further action regarding cross-border drug trafficking. View
- 1st Aug 25 The White House nominated Edward Forst to be Administrator of General Services. View
- 1st Aug 25 The President modified reciprocal tariff rates, adjusting duties on goods from numerous countries based on bilateral trade negotiations and national security concerns. View
President Donald J. Trump's proclamation declares August 14, 2025, the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act.
The proclamation praises the Act's enduring importance, highlights the administration's efforts to combat fraud and improve the Social Security Administration's efficiency, and celebrates the significant tax relief provided to seniors.
Trump also connects strong border security policies to the preservation of Social Security benefits.
Revocation of Executive Order on Competition
President Donald J. Trump issued an order revoking Executive Order 14036, which promoted competition in the American economy.
The revocation includes general provisions specifying that the order does not diminish the authority of executive departments or agencies, must adhere to existing law and funding, and creates no legally enforceable rights.
The publication costs are assigned to the Department of Justice.
Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry
President Trump issued an executive order aimed at enhancing U.S. dominance in the commercial space industry by 2030.
The order directs several federal agencies to streamline regulations and expedite approvals for commercial space launches, spaceport infrastructure development, and novel space activities.
Key actions include reevaluating and amending existing regulations, facilitating inter-agency coordination, and establishing new positions within relevant government agencies to oversee commercial space activities.
The order emphasizes increasing launch cadence and innovation while balancing national security concerns and environmental considerations.
Ensuring American Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Resilience by Filling the Strategic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Reserve
President Trump's August 13, 2025 order addresses the vulnerability of the US pharmaceutical supply chain by directing the immediate replenishment of the Strategic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Reserve (SAPIR).
The order prioritizes securing a six-month supply of APIs for 26 critical drugs, with a preference for domestically sourced materials.
It also mandates planning for a second SAPIR repository and an updated list of essential medicines to ensure long-term resilience.
Funding will be sourced from existing government resources, subject to budgetary limitations.
Further Modifying Reciprocal Tariff Rates to Reflect Ongoing Discussions with The People’s Republic of China
President Trump issued an order further extending the suspension of additional tariffs on certain Chinese imports until November 10, 2025.
This action is based on ongoing trade discussions with the PRC and their progress toward addressing U.S. concerns about trade reciprocity and national security.
The order directs relevant government agencies to implement the tariff suspension and emphasizes that it doesn't create any legally enforceable rights.
Restoring Law and Order in the District of Columbia
President Trump issued a memorandum ordering the mobilization of the District of Columbia National Guard to address a perceived increase in violent crime in Washington, D.C. The memorandum cites specific instances of violent crime, including murders and assaults near the White House and other government buildings, as justification for the action.
The President directs the Secretary of Defense to mobilize the Guard and coordinate with state governors to deploy additional National Guard personnel, if required.
The memorandum states that the National Guard’s deployment will continue until law and order are restored.
Declaring a Crime Emergency in the District of Columbia
President Trump declared a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., citing alarmingly high rates of violent crime that endanger public servants, residents, and tourists and disrupt federal government operations.
The order authorizes the federal government to utilize the Metropolitan Police Department for federal purposes, under the Attorney General's oversight, to address this emergency.
The order also mandates regular updates to the president on the situation's status and any need for further action.
This presidential order seeks to broaden investment opportunities for 401(k) and similar retirement plan participants by increasing access to alternative assets.
The order addresses concerns about the lack of access to these investment types for the majority of Americans, despite their availability for institutional investors and the wealthy.
It directs the Secretary of Labor to review existing department guidelines and propose changes that promote prudent investment in alternative assets while mitigating legal risks.
The Securities and Exchange Commission is also tasked with evaluating potential regulatory adjustments to facilitate access.
Guaranteeing Fair Banking For All Americans
President Trump issued an executive order addressing what the order terms "politicized or unlawful debanking." The order alleges that financial institutions have engaged in discriminatory practices by restricting access to financial services based on political beliefs, religious affiliations, or lawful business activities.
It directs federal banking regulators to remove reputation risk considerations from their guidance and investigate institutions engaging in such practices.
The Small Business Administration is instructed to assist clients who were unfairly denied services.
The order aims to ensure fair access to financial services for all Americans, regardless of their political affiliations or beliefs, and to prevent the use of financial tools to suppress differing viewpoints.
Ensuring Transparency in Higher Education Admissions
This presidential memorandum addresses concerns about transparency in higher education admissions.
It directs the Secretary of Education to improve the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) by upgrading its online presentation, streamlining data collection, expanding reporting requirements to encompass admissions processes, and implementing stricter accuracy checks.
The memorandum aims to enhance transparency, ensure the fairness of admissions practices, and address the use of racial proxies in admissions processes, ultimately promoting confidence in the integrity of higher education institutions.
Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking
President Trump issued an executive order to improve oversight of federal grantmaking.
The order addresses concerns about misuse of taxpayer money by focusing on alignment of grants with national interests and improved agency accountability.
Specific actions include implementing rigorous review processes for funding opportunity announcements and discretionary grants, revising the Uniform Guidance to streamline application requirements and limit administrative costs, and providing for termination of grants not aligned with national interests.
This aims to prevent the funding of projects that promote certain ideologies, compromise public safety or waste taxpayer resources.
Addressing Threats to The United States by the Government of the Russian Federation
This presidential order addresses the ongoing national security threat from Russia's actions in Ukraine by imposing a 25 percent ad valorem duty on imports from India due to its indirect involvement in importing Russian oil.
The order cites evidence of Russia's continued harmful activities and establishes a framework for monitoring, amending these tariffs based on further information, including the potential for modification should India or Russia take mitigating steps.
Several cabinet members are given key roles for implementation and enforcement.
Establishing the White House Task Force on the 2028 Summer Olympics
President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order establishing the White House Task Force on the 2028 Summer Olympics.
The Task Force, chaired by the President and vice-chaired by the Vice President, will coordinate federal efforts to ensure the safety and security of the Games, including managing transportation, entry/exit processes, visa processing, and interagency cooperation with state and local partners.
The order outlines the task force's functions, membership, reporting structure and termination date, emphasizing a collaborative federal approach to support the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Amendment to Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border
President Trump issued an executive order increasing tariffs on certain Canadian products from 25% to 35%.
This action, justified by Canada's perceived inaction on combating the flow of illicit drugs across their shared border and its retaliatory measures, aims to pressure the Canadian government into enhanced cooperation.
The order also introduces additional penalties for transshipment to circumvent the tariffs, mandates ongoing monitoring of the situation, and outlines provisions for further action if needed.
The White House announced the nomination of Edward Forst of Florida to serve as the Administrator of General Services, replacing Robin Carnahan who resigned.
This nomination is subject to Senate confirmation and represents a key appointment to oversee a critical government agency.
Further Modifying the Reciprocal Tariff Rates
President Donald J. Trump issued an order further modifying reciprocal tariff rates, adjusting duties on goods from various countries and territories.
The action builds upon Executive Order 14257, addressing the national security and economic threats stemming from large and persistent U.S. goods trade deficits.
The order modifies the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States(HTSUS), with adjustments based on progress in trade negotiations and security agreements with certain partners.
Specific tariff rates are provided in Annex I, with Annex II detailing further HTSUS modifications.
The order tasks multiple agencies with implementation, establishes penalties for transshipment to evade duties, and includes monitoring mechanisms to review the effectiveness of these actions and inform future presidential decisions.