Directives Published May 2026
Presidential directives and executive orders issued by the White House in May 2026.
Summary
- 19th May 26 Extended duty-free treatment under AGOA and CBERA through December 31, 2026, reinstated Gabon as an AGOA beneficiary effective January 1, 2026, and ordered technical corrections to the HTSUS via annexes. View
- 19th May 26 * Directed federal regulators to issue advisories and propose amendments to the Bank Secrecy Act to strengthen customer due diligence against illicit finance and mandated consideration of immigration-related risks in consumer credit underwriting. View
- 19th May 26 * Federal financial regulators received directives to review regulations impeding financial technology innovation, while the Federal Reserve was requested to evaluate direct access to payment services for non-bank financial companies. View
- 12th May 26 The President formally forwarded a list of individuals to the Senate for confirmation to various federal judicial positions, including District Judges and Circuit Judges. View
- 11th May 26 * The President proclaimed May 15, 2026, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 10 through May 16, 2026, as Police Week, calling for flags to be flown at half-staff and honoring those in law enforcement. View
- 11th May 26 The President transmitted multiple nominations for various government roles to the Senate and formally withdrew one previous nomination. View
- 7th May 26 * The President proclaimed May 8, 2026, as Military Spouse Day to honor the sacrifices and vital support provided by military spouses to the Armed Forces. View
- 7th May 26 * The President proclaimed May 8, 2026, as Victory Day for World War II to honor the sacrifice made in defeating Nazi Germany. View
- 5th May 26 * The President proclaimed May 2026 as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, citing commitments to fitness, fairness in sports, and national strength. View
- 4th May 26 * The President proclaimed May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Month, called upon Americans to celebrate Jewish American contributions, and encouraged observance of a national Sabbath. View
- 1st May 26 * The President imposed sanctions and travel restrictions against individuals and entities contributing to the Cuban government's repressive policies and actions that threaten U.S. national security and foreign policy, leveraging economic and emergency powers. View
To Implement Certain Provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, and for Other Purposes
This Presidential Proclamation implements specific trade provisions mandated by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, chiefly by extending duty-free trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) until December 31, 2026.
Furthermore, the President determines that the Gabonese Republic now meets the necessary criteria and designates it as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country, effective January 1, 2026, following its previous termination.
The proclamation orders necessary modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) to reflect these extensions, reinstatement, and to correct past administrative inconsistencies regarding trade program deadlines.
Restoring Integrity to America’s Financial System
This Presidential Action directs federal agencies to strengthen the integrity and safety of the U.S. financial system by mitigating risks associated with illicit cross-border finance and unsafe lending practices.
The order tasks the Secretary of the Treasury with issuing an advisory detailing red flags for financial abuse related to unauthorized employment and payroll schemes, and proposing changes to Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) regulations to enhance customer due diligence, potentially considering lawful immigration status when assessing risk.
Furthermore, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is directed to clarify that potential deportation and loss of wages should be considered factors in assessing a non-work-authorized borrower's ability to repay a loan, aiming to safeguard the national banking system against structural credit risks.
Integrating Financial Technology Innovation into Regulatory Frameworks
This Presidential Action establishes a policy framework to foster financial innovation by integrating financial technology (fintech) into traditional financial services and payment systems.
The order directs Federal financial regulators to review and update regulations, guidance, and supervisory practices within 90 days to reduce barriers for fintech firms, especially those seeking partnerships or bank/credit union charters.
Furthermore, the President requests the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to conduct a comprehensive evaluation, report within 120 days, and potentially establish transparent procedures for granting direct access to Reserve Bank payment services for uninsured depository institutions and non-bank financial companies involved in novel activities like digital assets.
Nominations Sent to the Senate
This document, categorized under Presidential Actions on The White House website, officially lists several individuals whose nominations have been sent to the Senate for consideration and confirmation to serve as United States District Judges for various districts and United States Circuit Judges for specific circuits.
This Presidential Proclamation officially designates May 15, 2026, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 10 through May 16, 2026, as Police Week, using the occasion to honor law enforcement officers who have died or been injured in the line of duty.
The document praises current administration efforts to restore law and order, citing actions such as directing federal resources, ending certain bail practices, and claims of reduced crime rates, while also contrasting these efforts with policies of a previous administration perceived as contributing to lawlessness.
Nominations and Withdrawal Sent to the Senate
- Foreign Policy
- Healthcare
- Finance
- Economy
- Defense
- Immigration
- Labor
- Homeland
- Education
- Technology
- Justice
This Presidential Action document transmits a list of personnel nominations to the Senate for confirmation across various federal departments, including the Treasury, Homeland Security, State Department, and Labor Department, alongside the formal withdrawal of one prior nomination for a Public Health Service position.
President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation officially designating May 8, 2026, as Military Spouse Day to honor the sacrifices, resilience, and unwavering support provided by spouses of members of the Armed Forces.
The proclamation recognizes military spouses as vital contributors to national defense, acknowledges the unique challenges they face—including frequent moves and deployments—and affirms the commitment to improving employment opportunities, housing, childcare, healthcare, and education for military families.
Victory Day for World War II, 2026
This Presidential Proclamation officially designates May 8, 2026, as Victory Day for World War II, commemorating the significant American and Allied triumph over Nazi Germany in Europe on May 8, 1945.
The document honors the exceptional courage and sacrifice of the American Armed Forces and those on the home front, noting the high cost of over 250,000 American lives lost fighting the Nazi regime. Furthermore, the proclamation connects this historical legacy to the continuing commitment of the United States to maintain its dominant military strength to safeguard freedom and sovereignty, particularly in the context of celebrating 250 years of American independence.