Civil Rights Directives
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.
National Day of Prayer, 2025
President Donald J. Trump's May 1, 2025, proclamation designates the day as a National Day of Prayer.
It highlights the role of faith and prayer in American history, citing numerous examples from the nation's past.
The proclamation encourages all Americans to participate in prayer and reflection, drawing a connection between faith and the country's ongoing success.
It's rooted in the 1988 Public Law 100-307.
Establishment of the Religious Liberty Commission
President Donald J. Trump's May 1, 2025, executive order establishes the Religious Liberty Commission.
The Commission, composed of up to 14 appointed members representing diverse societal sectors, will investigate the state of religious freedom in the United States and provide recommendations to the White House.
The order asserts the importance of protecting religious liberty and counters what it identifies as recent threats to this freedom.The Commission is tasked with producing a comprehensive report by July 4, 2026, covering historical foundations, societal impact, current threats, preservation strategies, and programs promoting peaceful religious pluralism.
The Department of Justice will provide necessary funding and support.
Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens
This executive order prioritizes the enforcement of federal immigration laws by designating and penalizing 'sanctuary jurisdictions' that obstruct these laws.
It directs the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to identify these jurisdictions, notify them of their non-compliance, and pursue legal remedies to ensure adherence to federal law.
Further measures include developing mechanisms for verifying eligibility for federal benefits within sanctuary jurisdictions and taking action against state and local laws prioritizing aliens over American citizens.
The order asserts the federal government's plenary authority in immigration and national security.
National Volunteer Week, 2025
President Donald J. Trump's proclamation designates April 20-26, 2025, as National Volunteer Week.
The proclamation praises the vital role of volunteers in American communities, highlighting their selfless service in various sectors such as soup kitchens, schools, and hospitals.
It encourages all Americans to participate in volunteer activities and to integrate service into their daily lives.
Restoring Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy
President Trump issued an executive order focused on restoring equality of opportunity and meritocracy.
The order argues that disparate-impact liability—a legal theory holding that unequal outcomes suggest discrimination—undermines the principle of equal opportunity and violates the Constitution.
It revokes prior approvals of regulations concerning disparate-impact liability and instructs agencies to deprioritize the enforcement of related statutes.
Furthermore, the order requires a review and amendment of existing regulations, pending investigations, and consent judgments utilizing disparate-impact liability.
The President aims to create a system where individuals are evaluated on merit, not on group membership.
Reinstating Common Sense School Discipline Policies
President Trump issued an executive order to reinstate common-sense school discipline policies.
The order criticizes previous administrations' focus on racial disparities in school discipline, arguing it led to increased classroom disorder and violence by prioritizing racial statistics over individual student behavior.
It directs federal agencies to issue new guidance clarifying Title VI requirements and to investigate the impact of equity-based school discipline, while encouraging the prioritization of a safe learning environment.
The order aims to ensure school discipline decisions are based on individual student behavior, not racial data.
Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust, 2025
President Donald J. Trump's proclamation designates April 20-27, 2025, as the Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust.
The proclamation honors the memory of the six million Jewish victims and many others persecuted by the Nazis, condemns the recent rise in anti-Semitism in the United States, and asserts the administration's commitment to using all legal avenues to combat anti-Semitic harassment and discrimination.
It calls on Americans to observe the period with appropriate study and commemoration.