Directives Published February 2026
Presidential directives and executive orders issued by the White House in February 2026.
Summary
- 21st Feb 26 * The President imposed a temporary 10 percent ad valorem import surcharge for 150 days, effective February 24, 2026, citing a serious U.S. balance-of-payments deficit and outlining specific product exemptions. View
- 21st Feb 26 * The President revised Executive Order 14324 to continue suspending duty-free *de minimis* treatment for imports, establishing new duty collection procedures for international postal shipments. View
- 21st Feb 26 * The administration terminated specific additional *ad valorem* duties imposed under IEEPA via nine prior Executive Orders related to border security, trade imbalances, and actions concerning several foreign nations. View
- 18th Feb 26 * The President delegated authority under the Defense Production Act to the Secretary of Agriculture to ensure an adequate domestic supply of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides by prioritizing contracts and allocating resources. View
- 17th Feb 26 * Designated February 16, 2026, as a reserved holiday commemorating President George Washington’s Birthday, citing his foundational role in American liberty and the 250th anniversary of independence. View
- 11th Feb 26 * The President formally transmitted several governmental nominations, including U.S. Attorneys, Assistant Secretaries, Ambassadors, and Agency Commissioners, to the Senate for consideration and confirmation. View
- 11th Feb 26 * The Department of War was directed to secure long-term Power Purchase Agreements with coal power generation facilities to guarantee continuous energy supply for military installations and defense industrial bases. View
- 6th Feb 26 * The President terminated the 25 percent additional *ad valorem* duty imposed on products of India that was implemented under Executive Order 14329, effective February 7, 2026. View
- 6th Feb 26 * Established the 'America First Arms Transfer Strategy' to link U.S. arms exports directly to domestic defense industrial capacity building and streamline foreign military sales processes. View
- 6th Feb 26 * Directed the Attorney General to provide DHS access to Department of Justice CHRI and authorized the Secretary of Homeland Security to exchange felony conviction records with trusted foreign allies for border security and immigration vetting. View
- 6th Feb 26 * The President authorized the imposition of additional duties on imports from countries purchasing goods or services from Iran, citing a continuing national emergency. View
- 6th Feb 26 * Revoked the prohibition on commercial fishing within the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, directing its management to follow Proclamation 10049. View
- 6th Feb 26 * The President temporarily increased the Tariff-Rate Quota (TRQ) for lean beef trimmings by 80,000 metric tons for the 2026 calendar year, allocating the entire amount to Argentina to address high consumer beef prices stemming from domestic supply shortages. View
- 4th Feb 26 The President sent the nomination of Michael McDonald to the Senate to serve as Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities. View
- 3rd Feb 26 * The President proclaimed February 2026 as National Black History Month, emphasizing the indispensable nature of Black American history to the overall American narrative. View
Establishing an America First Arms Transfer Strategy
This Presidential Action establishes an 'America First Arms Transfer Strategy' to leverage U.S. military equipment sales as a primary tool of foreign policy, explicitly linking arms exports to the expansion of domestic defense production capacity and technological superiority.
The order directs multiple federal agencies, including the Departments of War, State, and Commerce, to create implementation plans within strict deadlines, develop prioritized sales catalogs, streamline administrative processes like Third-Party Transfers, and enhance accountability through a new task force and public performance metrics.
Protecting the National Security and Welfare of the United States and its Citizens from Criminal Actors and Other Public Safety Threats
This Presidential Action, issued on February 6, 2026, establishes a policy to protect U.S. welfare and security by enhancing the ability of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to access Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) maintained by Federal criminal justice agencies, specifically the Department of Justice. Furthermore, the action authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to exchange CHRI concerning felony convictions with vetted foreign partners, such as Visa Waiver Program countries, on a reciprocal basis solely for border security and immigration screening purposes, ensuring all exchanges are governed by agreements that safeguard individual privacy.
Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of Iran
The document is an Executive Order issued under the authority of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to address the continuing national emergency posed by the actions and policies of the Government of Iran.
It specifically institutes the authority to impose an additional ad valorem duty (a percentage tax) on imports coming from any foreign country that directly or indirectly purchases, imports, or acquires goods or services from Iran.
The order outlines specific roles for the Secretaries of Commerce and State in identifying non-compliant countries and recommending the applicable tariff rates, while affirming that existing sanctions related to Iran remain in place.
Unleashing American Commercial Fishing in the Atlantic
This Presidential Proclamation, dated February 6, 2026, revokes Proclamation 10287, which had prohibited commercial fishing in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, and reinstates the management conditions established by Proclamation 10049, thereby allowing regulated commercial fishing within the designated area.
The action is justified by finding that existing Federal laws, including the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and others, provide adequate protection for the monument's objects of historic and scientific interest, making the commercial fishing ban unnecessary.
Ensuring Affordable Beef for the American Consumer
This proclamation, issued by the President on February 6, 2026, temporarily increases the in-quota quantity for certain beef imports, specifically lean beef trimmings, by 80,000 metric tons for the calendar year 2026.
The action is taken under Section 404 of the URAA to combat record-high ground beef prices resulting from a contracting domestic cattle herd, which was impacted by severe regional droughts, wildfire effects, and restrictions on Mexican calf imports.
The entire increased quota is specifically allocated to Argentina and will be administered in four quarterly, first-come, first-served tranches to restore supply and ensure affordable beef prices for American consumers.
Nominations Sent to the Senate
This document lists a specific nomination sent by the President to the Senate for confirmation: Michael McDonald of the District of Columbia, to serve as Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities for a four-year term, replacing Shelly C. Lowe.
National Black History Month, 2026
This Presidential Proclamation establishes February 2026 as National Black History Month, framing the celebration within the context of the Nation's 250th anniversary of independence.
The action asserts that Black history is an indispensable part of the grand American story, citing numerous historical Black American heroes who fought for liberty and equality.
Furthermore, the President connects this recognition to current efforts, including the National Garden of American Heroes and support for HBCUs, concluding with a call for the nation to observe the month with appropriate activities under the unified belief in American principles.