Directives Published August 2025
Presidential directives and executive orders issued by the White House in August 2025.
Summary
- 28th Aug 25 The President issued an order establishing a preference for classical and traditional architectural styles for new and renovated Federal buildings, instructing the GSA to update its policies accordingly. View
- 28th Aug 25 President Trump proclaimed August 31 through September 6, 2025 as Overdose Prevention Week, highlighting the opioid crisis and urging Americans to participate in awareness programs. View
- 28th Aug 25 President Trump issued a proclamation declaring September 1st, 2025, as Labor Day, honoring American workers' contributions and resilience. View
- 28th Aug 25 The President ordered an investigation into the illegal use of federal grant funds for lobbying and partisan political activities, directing the Attorney General to conduct the investigation and report back within 180 days. View
- 28th Aug 25 This presidential action amended Executive Order 12171 to further exclude certain agencies from the Federal Labor-Management Relations Program and extended related deadlines. View
- 27th Aug 25 The President issued a proclamation ordering flags to be flown at half-staff to honor the victims of the Minneapolis tragedy. View
- 25th Aug 25 A proclamation was issued commemorating the fourth anniversary of the Abbey Gate attack, honoring fallen service members and condemning the actions of those responsible. View
- 25th Aug 25 Federal funding to jurisdictions with cashless bail policies was reviewed and potentially suspended or terminated, with the Attorney General identifying such jurisdictions based on public safety concerns. View
- 25th Aug 25 The President issued an order directing Federal agencies to address the crime emergency in Washington, D.C., by ending cashless bail, increasing pretrial detention, and reviewing D.C. police policies. View
- 25th Aug 25 The president issued an order prioritizing the prosecution of American flag desecration and instructing relevant agencies to take action, including utilizing immigration enforcement against foreign nationals. View
- 25th Aug 25 The president ordered additional measures to address a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., directing federal agencies to increase law enforcement and improve public safety. View
- 21st Aug 25 The president established the "America by Design" initiative, created the National Design Studio, appointed a Chief Design Officer, and directed federal agencies to improve the design and usability of their services. View
- 21st Aug 25 A presidential permit was issued authorizing Cameron County, Texas to construct, maintain, and operate a pedestrian border crossing at the Gateway International Bridge. View
- 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
Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again
This Presidential order establishes a preference for classical and traditional architecture in the design of Federal buildings costing over $50 million.
It cites the Founding Fathers' preference for classical designs and criticizes the modernist and Brutalist styles prevalent since the 1960s.
The order directs the General Services Administration (GSA) to update its policies, build expertise in classical architectural design, and create a new senior advisor position focused on classical architecture.
Exceptions to the preferred style will require 30-day prior notification to the President.
The order seeks to uplift and beautify public spaces while reflecting the dignity and stability of the American government.
Overdose Prevention Week, 2025
President Trump's proclamation declares August 31 to September 6, 2025, as Overdose Prevention Week.
The proclamation emphasizes the devastating impact of the opioid crisis, particularly the role of fentanyl.
It highlights the administration's actions, including the HALT Fentanyl Act and border security measures, while calling on Americans to participate in awareness programs and activities to prevent drug overdoses.
President Donald J. Trump's Labor Day 2025 proclamation pays tribute to the American worker's historical contributions and the administration's efforts to prioritize them.
The proclamation celebrates the workforce as the foundation of the American economy and emphasizes the administration's commitment to restoring the dignity of labor by bringing jobs back to America, boosting American manufacturing, and securing fair trade deals.
It declares September 1st, 2025, as Labor Day, calling upon citizens to observe the day with appropriate celebrations.
President Donald J. Trump issued a memorandum ordering an investigation into the potential misuse of federal grant funds for illegal lobbying and partisan political activities.
The memorandum directs the Attorney General, in consultation with relevant agencies, to investigate whether grant funds are being illegally used to support lobbying or political activity, and to report back within 180 days.
The President asserted that the misuse of funds is wasteful, potentially fraudulent and raises serious legal concerns.
The memorandum includes provisions safeguarding existing executive department and agency authority.
Further Exclusions from the Federal Labor-Management Relations Program
This Presidential Order further amends Executive Order 12171, excluding additional agencies and subdivisions from the Federal Labor-Management Relations Program due to their primary focus on intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative, or national security work.
The order also extends a deadline for implementing the exclusions under Executive Order 14251 and includes a severability clause to ensure the order's remaining provisions remain valid if parts are challenged.
President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation ordering the United States flag to be flown at half-staff at all federal buildings and facilities, both domestically and internationally, from August 27th, 2025, until sunset on August 31st, 2025.
This action is in response to the senseless acts of violence that occurred on August 27th, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as a mark of respect for the victims.
Fourth Anniversary of the Attack at Abbey Gate, 2025
President Trump's August 25, 2025, proclamation designates August 26th as the fourth anniversary of the Abbey Gate attack in Kabul.
The proclamation honors the 13 fallen US service members, criticizes the previous administration's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, and highlights the apprehension of the ISIS-K perpetrator responsible for the attack.
It emphasizes reaffirming national strength and resolve in foreign policy.
This presidential order directs federal agencies to review and potentially cut funding to jurisdictions with cashless bail policies deemed to threaten public safety.
The Attorney General will identify these jurisdictions, focusing on those with a high rate of releases for violent crimes or offenses involving property damage, before federal funds are reviewed.
The order aims to prioritize incarcerating individuals considered high risks to society, emphasizing the need to maintain order and public safety.