Directives Published May 2025
Presidential directives and executive orders issued by the White House in May 2025.
Summary
- 30th May 25 The President issued a sequestration order for Fiscal Year 2026, implementing automatic spending cuts in accordance with the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act. View
- 27th May 25 The President proclaimed May 28, 2025, as the 101st Anniversary of the United States Border Patrol, celebrating the agency's service and highlighting significant border security achievements under his administration. View
- 25th May 25 President Trump proclaimed May 18-24, 2025, as World Trade Week, emphasizing an 'America First' approach to trade and highlighting efforts to protect American workers. View
- 25th May 25 A presidential proclamation was issued designating Memorial Day 2025 as a day of prayer for permanent peace, observing a National Moment of Remembrance, and requesting flags be flown at half-staff. View
- 25th May 25 President Trump proclaimed May 2025 as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, emphasizing the importance of public health and well-being, and highlighting previous efforts to support and protect children's and women's sports participation. View
- 23rd May 25 The President issued an executive order directing the accelerated development, deployment, and export of advanced nuclear reactor technologies to enhance national security, improve critical infrastructure resilience and promote American technological leadership in the field. View
- 23rd May 25 The executive order initiated reforms at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, streamlining reactor licensing, revising radiation limits, and reorganizing the commission structure to increase domestic nuclear energy production. View
- 23rd May 25 The President issued an executive order to reform nuclear reactor testing at the Department of Energy, streamlining the approval process, reforming environmental reviews, and establishing a pilot program for reactor construction. View
- 23rd May 25 The presidential actions directed multiple federal agencies to develop plans for revitalizing the domestic nuclear fuel cycle, expand the nuclear energy workforce, and fund new and upgraded nuclear power plant projects. View
- 23rd May 25 The executive order established guidelines for "Gold Standard Science" across federal agencies, promoting transparency and reproducibility in scientific research and decision-making. View
- 22nd May 25 President Trump proclaimed May 22, 2025 as National Maritime Day, recognizing the U.S. Merchant Marine’s contributions to national defense and the economy. View
- 20th May 25 President Trump signed the 'TAKE IT DOWN' Act (S. 146) into law, criminalizing the distribution of nonconsensual intimate visual depictions and requiring online platforms to remove such content. View
- 16th May 25 The President proclaimed the third Saturday of May as Armed Forces Day, superseded a previous proclamation, and encouraged public acknowledgment of military service. View
- 16th May 25 President Trump proclaimed May 2025 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. View
- 16th May 25 The President proclaimed May 2025 as Jewish American Heritage Month, celebrating Jewish American contributions and condemning anti-Semitism. View
- 12th May 25 The President modified reciprocal tariff rates on Chinese goods, suspending certain tariffs for 90 days while imposing a 10% ad valorem rate on others. View
- 12th May 25 The President proclaimed May 15, 2025, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 11-17, 2025, as Police Week, and called on Americans to observe the week with appropriate ceremonies. View
- 12th May 25 The order directed federal agencies to implement most-favored-nation pricing for prescription drugs, addressing global price discrimination and seeking lower drug costs for American patients. View
- 9th May 25 The president rescinded water conservation requirements for several appliances and washing machines, directed a clarification of a state regulation waiver, and initiated a process for Congress to consider further legislative changes. View
- 9th May 25 The President established a National Center for Warrior Independence for homeless veterans, redirected funding, and initiated reforms to improve veteran care and accountability within the Department of Veterans Affairs. View
- 9th May 25 The President directed federal agencies to expedite efforts to prevent the spread of invasive carp into the Great Lakes, prioritizing the Brandon Road Interbasin Project and streamlining permitting processes. View
- 9th May 25 The President ordered a review of publication fees and mandated reports on publication times at the Office of the Federal Register, aiming to increase efficiency and reduce costs. View
- 9th May 25 President Trump proclaimed May 9, 2025, as Military Spouse Day, recognizing the significant contributions and sacrifices of military spouses. View
- 9th May 25 President Trump proclaimed May 11, 2025, as Mother's Day, acknowledging the contributions of mothers to families and the nation. View
- 9th May 25 The President issued an executive order to address overcriminalization in federal regulations by requiring agencies to report on criminal offenses, promote regulatory transparency, and establish guidelines for criminal referrals. View
- 9th May 25 Project Homecoming was established, offering financial incentives for illegal alien departure along with increased immigration enforcement. View
- 7th May 25 President Trump proclaimed May 2025 as National Foster Care Month, recognizing the contributions of foster families and encouraging support for children in foster care. View
- 7th May 25 A presidential proclamation was issued designating May 8, 2025, as Victory Day for World War II, commemorating the Allied victory and honoring the fallen. View
- 5th May 25 The President ordered the streamlining of regulations to increase domestic pharmaceutical production, improve supply chain resilience, and expedite the approval process for new manufacturing facilities. View
- 5th May 25 The President ordered a halt to federal funding of dangerous gain-of-function research conducted by foreign entities, revised key policies to enhance oversight, and implemented a strategy for managing risks associated with non-federally funded research. View
- 5th May 25 A proclamation was issued designating May 4 through May 10, 2025, as National Small Business Week. View
- 5th May 25 A Presidential Proclamation declared May 4-10, 2025, as National Hurricane Preparedness Week to raise awareness and encourage preparedness for hurricanes. View
- 5th May 25 President Trump proclaimed May 2025 as National Mental Health Awareness Month. View
- 2nd May 25 President Trump proclaimed May 1, 2025, as Loyalty Day and Law Day, U.S.A., emphasizing the rule of law and American principles. View
- 2nd May 25 The President issued a proclamation declaring May 1, 2025, as a National Day of Prayer, encouraging Americans to observe this day with prayer and reflection. View
- 2nd May 25 A presidential proclamation designated May 3-4, 2025, as National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend and ordered the US flag to be flown at half-staff on May 4th in honor of the fallen. View
- 2nd May 25 Federal funding for NPR and PBS was ended via presidential order due to concerns about biased news coverage. View
- 1st May 25 The executive order established the Religious Liberty Commission to study religious freedom in the US and advise on protective measures, with a report due by July 4, 2026. View
Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base
President Trump's executive order prioritizes the revitalization of the American nuclear energy industry.
The order mandates multiple actions by federal agencies, including developing a national policy for spent nuclear fuel management, expanding domestic uranium production and enrichment, utilizing the Defense Production Act to secure voluntary agreements with domestic nuclear energy companies, and funding the expansion of nuclear energy related workforce development.
The overarching goal is to achieve energy independence, strengthen national security, and establish American energy dominance.
Restoring Gold Standard Science
President Trump's May 23, 2025, executive order, "Restoring Gold Standard Science," aims to rebuild public trust in federal science.
The order mandates that agencies adopt "Gold Standard Science" principles, emphasizing reproducibility, transparency, and unbiased peer review.
It addresses concerns about misleading scientific information used in past government decisions, encouraging agencies to readily share data, acknowledge uncertainties, and apply a weight-of-evidence approach to analyses.
The order also reinstates pre-2021 scientific integrity policies, revokes certain related changes from 2021-2025, and promotes internal agency processes to investigate violations.
National Maritime Day, 2025
President Donald J. Trump's May 22, 2025 proclamation designates May 22nd as National Maritime Day, commemorating the S.S. Savannah's transatlantic voyage and honoring the United States Merchant Marine. The proclamation emphasizes the crucial role of merchant mariners in national defense, having supported military operations throughout history, and their importance to the American economy through global trade.
President Trump also highlights the recent Executive Order focused on restoring American maritime dominance through investment in shipbuilding, regulatory reform, and expanded training.
The proclamation concludes with a call for Americans to observe the day and display the national flag.
President Donald J. Trump Signed S. 146 into Law
On May 19, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed S. 146, the "TAKE IT DOWN" Act, into law.
This act criminalizes the intentional disclosure of nonconsensual intimate visual depictions and mandates that covered online platforms remove such content.
The legislation aims to protect victims of this form of online abuse while holding perpetrators accountable.
The act also addresses challenges presented by technologies like deepfakes that facilitate the creation and distribution of such material.
President Donald J. Trump's 2025 proclamation designates the third Saturday of May as Armed Forces Day.
The proclamation praises the service and sacrifice of America's military personnel across all branches, highlighting increased recruitment numbers and expressing gratitude for their dedication to national security and humanitarian missions.
It encourages Americans to display the flag and participate in local Armed Forces Day observances, furthering public understanding and appreciation.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, 2025
President Donald J. Trump's proclamation designates May 2025 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
The proclamation celebrates the significant contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the United States, highlighting their resilience and enduring impact.
It encourages all Americans to learn more about this community and participate in commemorative events.
The proclamation draws on historical context to emphasize the integration of this community into the fabric of American society.
Jewish American Heritage Month, 2025
President Donald J. Trump's proclamation designates May 2025 as Jewish American Heritage Month.
The proclamation celebrates the contributions of Jewish Americans to the nation's history while strongly condemning the recent rise in anti-Semitism.
It invokes President George Washington's letter to the Newport Hebrew Congregation as historical context and reaffirms the US's commitment to combating anti-Semitism and standing with Israel.
Modifying Reciprocal Tariff Rates to Reflect Discussions with the People’s Republic of China
President Trump issued an order modifying reciprocal tariff rates on goods imported from China.
This action, following preceding executive orders imposing tariffs, reflects ongoing discussions with the PRC aimed at addressing trade imbalances and national security concerns.
The order suspends certain tariffs for 90 days, while imposing a 10% ad valorem rate on other goods.
Simultaneously, it makes adjustments to other tariff rates, aiming to improve trade reciprocity.