This April 17, 2025, presidential memorandum extends a freeze on hiring for federal civilian employees through July 15, 2025.

The freeze applies to all executive branch agencies, barring exceptions for national security, public safety, immigration enforcement and essential services.

Future hiring must comply with a merit-based hiring plan.

Contracting to circumvent the freeze is prohibited, and agencies are instructed to use existing personnel efficiently.

The memorandum also does not affect the deadline for a plan to reduce the federal workforce.

Exceptions may be granted by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

The freeze will remain in effect for the IRS until the Treasury Secretary determines otherwise and publishes a notice in the Federal Register.

President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation modifying the regulations of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument (PRIMNM).

The proclamation removes the ban on commercial fishing within designated areas, asserting that existing laws adequately protect the monument's resources.

The action aims to benefit American fishermen and the US fishing industry, particularly in territories like American Samoa, by restoring access to previously restricted fishing grounds and lessening their disadvantage against foreign competitors.

The Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior are directed to publish new regulations and implement the amended policy, coordinating with the Secretary of Defense.

The proclamation maintains the freedom of the seas and protection of US Armed Forces activities within the area.

President Trump issued an order to reduce wasteful government spending by requiring federal agencies to favor commercially available products and services whenever possible.

The order directs agencies to review existing contracts and procurement processes, requiring justifications for using non-commercial options.

Agencies must report their progress to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), ensuring accountability and promoting efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

President Trump's order initiates a Section 232 investigation into the national security risks posed by the United States' reliance on foreign sources for processed critical minerals and their derivative products.

The investigation will assess supply chain vulnerabilities, market distortions caused by foreign producers, and the impact on the domestic manufacturing and defense industrial bases.

Recommendations may include tariffs, import restrictions, and measures to incentivize domestic production to bolster national security and economic resilience.

This presidential order revokes Executive Orders 12072 and 13006, which previously mandated that federal agencies prioritize central business districts when selecting office space.

The rationale is that these previous orders hampered cost-effectiveness and efficient government operations.

The new order aims to restore common sense to federal office space management by allowing agencies to choose cost-effective facilities, thereby improving taxpayer value and prioritizing mission success.

The Administrator of General Services is tasked with updating related regulations to reflect this change.

President Trump issued an executive order initiating a Section 232 investigation into the national security implications of US dependence on foreign sources for processed critical minerals and their derivative products.

The order emphasizes the importance of these materials for both national defense and economic security, citing vulnerabilities in global supply chains and the potential for market manipulation by foreign producers.

The investigation will assess the impact of imports on national security and recommend actions, including the possibility of tariffs and other import restrictions, to mitigate risks and strengthen domestic production.

President Trump's executive order aims to significantly lower prescription drug prices for Americans.

The order criticizes the Inflation Reduction Act for insufficient savings and negative impacts on seniors' healthcare coverage.

To address this, the order directs various federal agencies to take actions like reforming Medicare drug price negotiations, stabilizing Part D premiums, and better controlling middleman prescription drug markups.

It also seeks to increase competition by accelerating generic drug approvals and streamlining drug importation.

This executive order aims to reform the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to create a more efficient and effective government procurement system.

The order addresses the FAR's excessive length and complexity, which negatively impact efficiency and cost, citing reports from the Senate and expert panels.

It mandates a review and amendment of the FAR within 180 days, focusing on retaining only essential provisions.

Further, the order requires agencies to align their supplemental regulations and promotes the use of expedited acquisition methods while implementing a four-year regulatory sunset provision to ensure ongoing review of regulations.