Defense Directives

Safeguarding Venezuelan Oil Revenue for the Good of the American and Venezuelan People

This Presidential Action, issued under the authority granted by IEEPA and the NEA, declares a national emergency to safeguard "Foreign Government Deposit Funds" held by the U.S. Treasury on behalf of the Government of Venezuela from attachment or other judicial processes.

The President finds that allowing such process would materially harm U.S. national security and foreign policy by interfering with stability efforts in Venezuela and stemming threats like illegal immigration and narcotics flow.

The order directs the Secretary of the Treasury to hold these funds solely in a custodial capacity, under the direction of the Secretary of State, for public or diplomatic purposes, expressly overriding any previous executive orders affecting these specific funds.

Prioritizing the Warfighter in Defense Contracting

Published: Wed 7th Jan 26

This Presidential Action, issued by the authority vested in the President, aims to revitalize the defense industrial base by compelling major defense contractors to prioritize warfighter capability and readiness over investor returns.

The action immediately prohibits underperforming contractors from issuing stock buybacks or dividends until they meet required standards for timely and quality production.

It directs the Secretary of War to review and identify non-compliant contractors, mandate remediation plans, enforce stricter contract provisions regarding executive compensation and production metrics, and consult on trade advocacy consequences, while also prompting the SEC to review stock buyback regulations.

Regarding the Acquisition of Certain Assets of Emcore Corporation by Hiefo Corporation

The document is a Presidential Order issued under the authority of the Defense Production Act, prohibiting HieFo Corporation, which is controlled by a citizen of the People's Republic of China, from retaining its acquisition of EMCORE Corporation's digital chip assets, deemed a threat to U.S. national security.

The order mandates that HieFo must divest all interests and rights in the acquired assets within 180 days under the supervision and verification of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), while immediately restricting access to the assets and related technical information until the divestment is complete.

Amendments to Adjusting Imports of Timber, Lumber, and their Derivative Products into the United States

This Presidential Proclamation amends a previous order, Proclamation 10976, which imposed initial tariffs on specific wood products based on a Section 232 national security investigation.

Finding that ongoing negotiations with foreign partners remain productive, the President delays the scheduled increase of certain tariffs—specifically for upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities—from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2027, contingent upon the progress of these agreements.

The proclamation reaffirms the existing initial tariffs and reaffirms the authority of the U.S. Trade Representative to continue pursuing agreements to ensure that wood product imports no longer threaten U.S. national security.

This Presidential Memorandum directs various cabinet secretaries and agency heads to ensure the United States leads global development of the next generation of mobile communications networks (6G), establishing it as foundational to national security and economic prosperity.

The action explicitly mandates studies for relocating Federal systems away from the 7.125-7.4 GHz spectrum band to enable its designation for commercial 6G use, while also initiating studies for other bands (2.69-2.9 GHz and 4.4-4.94 GHz).

Furthermore, the Secretary of State is ordered to engage diplomatically to advance U.S. objectives in international standards bodies concerning 6G.

Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay

Published: Thu 18th Dec 25

This Presidential Action document formally establishes the new rates of basic pay and salaries for various statutory federal pay systems, including the General Schedule, Foreign Service Schedule, and certain Department of Veterans Affairs schedules, as well as setting salaries for the Senior Executive Service and high-ranking officials like the Vice President and members of Congress.

The action directs the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to implement locality-based comparability payments and assess an additional pay increase for federal civilian law enforcement personnel, with most schedules taking effect starting January 1, 2026, and superseding the previous Executive Order 14132.

ENSURING AMERICAN SPACE SUPERIORITY

This Presidential Action establishes comprehensive policy priorities to assert United States superiority in space, focusing on four key areas: leading exploration through a return to the Moon by 2028 and establishing a permanent lunar outpost by 2030; securing national and economic security interests against space threats; fostering a robust commercial space economy projected to attract $50 billion in new investment by 2028; and developing advanced capabilities, including deploying lunar nuclear power by 2030.

The order outlines specific implementation timelines, assigns coordination roles to various White House offices and agency heads, mandates significant reforms to NASA and Commerce acquisition processes, and supersedes prior related directives, including the revocation of Executive Order 14056.

Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States

This Presidential Proclamation, building upon Executive Order 14161 and Proclamation 10949, continues and modifies restrictions on the entry of foreign nationals from specific countries deemed to have deficient screening, vetting, and information-sharing capabilities that pose national security and public safety risks.

The President finds that unrestricted entry from these nations is detrimental to U.S. interests, citing issues like unreliable civil documentation, widespread corruption, cooperation failures (such as refusing to accept repatriated nationals), and high visa overstay rates.

The proclamation fully suspends entry for nationals of 19 countries (12 continuing from previous action and 7 new additions) and partially suspends or modifies restrictions for 4 others, while also suspending entry for individuals using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority, and it narrows exceptions, particularly for family-based immigrant visas.