Defense Directives

Memorandum to Resolve the Backlog of Security Clearances for Executive Office of the President<br>Personnel

Published: Tue 21st Jan 25

This presidential memorandum addresses a backlog of security clearances for Executive Office of the President personnel.

It directs the White House Counsel to immediately grant interim Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearances to specified individuals for up to six months, granting them access to necessary facilities and technology.

The White House Counsel also has the authority to add to or revoke clearances from this list.

DECLARING A NATIONAL EMERGENCY AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER OF THE UNITED STATES

President Donald J. Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border of the United States, citing an invasion by cartels, criminal gangs, and terrorists, resulting in widespread chaos and violence.

The declaration authorizes the military to assist the Department of Homeland Security in securing the border.

The action includes the deployment of military personnel, construction of additional physical barriers, the use of unmanned aerial systems, and revisions of security policies and strategies.

The proclamation also revokes a previous order that terminated an emergency at the southern border and redirected funds.

HOLDING FORMER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE FOR ELECTION INTERFERENCE AND IMPROPER DISCLOSURE<br>OF SENSITIVE GOVERNMENTAL INFORMATION

This executive order revokes the security clearances of 50 former intelligence officials for allegedly coordinating with the Biden campaign to discredit the Hunter Biden laptop story during the 2020 election.

It also revokes the security clearance of former National Security Advisor John Bolton for publishing a memoir containing sensitive information.

The order establishes a policy against partisan political activity within the Intelligence Community and improper disclosure of classified information, and directs the Director of National Intelligence to submit a report on further inappropriate activity and recommendations for prevention.

WITHDRAWING THE UNITED STATES FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

Published: Tue 21st Jan 25

This executive order directs the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO).

The order cites the WHO’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, its lack of reform, and its susceptibility to political influence as justifications.

Specific actions include halting funding, recalling personnel, finding alternative partners, and revising the US Global Health Security Strategy.

The order also revokes previous presidential actions related to reversing the initial withdrawal decision.

APPLICATION OF PROTECTING AMERICANS FROM FOREIGN ADVERSARY CONTROLLED APPLICATIONS ACT TO TIKTOK

This executive order temporarily suspends enforcement of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act's restrictions on TikTok for 75 days.

The order cites national security concerns and the Act's unfortunate timing, which became effective a day before the new President's inauguration.

The President aims to assess national security implications, explore solutions, and prevent an immediate shutdown of the platform while safeguarding US interests, utilizing the 75-day period to achieve these goals.

President [President's Name] issued an executive order enacting a hiring freeze for federal civilian employees, effective January 20, 2025.

Exemptions apply to national security, public safety, and essential services like Social Security, Medicare, and Veterans' benefits.

The Office of Management and Budget must submit a plan to reduce the federal workforce's size within 90 days, at which point the freeze will expire for most agencies, barring the IRS. Contracting to circumvent the freeze is prohibited.

FLYING THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES AT FULL-STAFF ON INAUGURATION DAY

Published: Mon 20th Jan 25

This presidential proclamation orders the display of the US flag at full-staff on all future Inauguration Days in honor of the event and the nation.

On January 20, 2025, it mandated immediate full-staff display at all federal buildings, military installations, US embassies, and facilities worldwide, followed by a return to half-staff later in the day as per Proclamation 10876 to mourn the passing of President Carter.

President Trump issued a directive appointing acting cabinet secretaries and other high-level officials across numerous federal agencies.

The appointees are temporarily filling their positions until permanent replacements are selected, with the directive citing 5 U.S.C. 3345 et seq. as legal justification.

The directive lists numerous individuals and their assigned acting roles, ensuring continuity in government operations.