Technology Directives

President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology

In January 2025, the President established the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) to promote American leadership in scientific and technological innovation.

Addressing the urgency to maintain global dominance in transformative technologies, the order emphasizes creating a diverse advisory body that advises on policy and provides strategic oversight in science, technology, education, and innovation.

Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology

The Presidential Executive Order outlines strategies to advance US leadership in the digital asset industry, blockchain technology, and financial technologies.

It emphasizes the need for responsible growth and usage of digital assets while protecting economic freedom and sovereignty.

The document outlines policies supporting open blockchain access, banking service fairness, and regulatory clarity, alongside banning Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) in the US. It establishes a working group, revokes previous directives on digital assets, and sets tasks and timelines for involved agencies to recommend regulatory adaptations.

On January 22, 2025, the President transmitted a series of nominations to the Senate for key positions across multiple federal agencies.

These nominations include individuals for Under Secretary roles in Agriculture, Deputy Secretary positions in Transportation, Energy, and Veterans Affairs, as well as other senior leadership roles within agencies such as the Small Business Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Treasury, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Interior, and Education.

The purpose is to fill vacancies in various government agencies.

ESTABLISHING AND IMPLEMENTING THE PRESIDENT'S "DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY"

This executive order establishes the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to improve the efficiency and productivity of the federal government.

It renames the United States Digital Service as the U.S. DOGE Service (USDS) and creates a temporary organization within it to implement the President's 18-month DOGE agenda.

Each federal agency is to form a DOGE Team to coordinate with USDS. The order prioritizes the modernization of federal software, network infrastructure, and IT systems, ensuring data integrity and interoperability, while displacing conflicting prior executive orders.

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.

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.

This presidential memorandum institutes a temporary freeze on new federal regulations and initiates a review process for existing and pending rules.

All executive departments and agencies must halt rule-making until appointed heads review and approve them.

Rules already submitted but not published are withdrawn for review, published rules are subject to a 60-day postponement, and the Office of Management and Budget oversees the entire process.

Any actions contradicting this memorandum may be addressed via modification or extension.

RESTORING FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND ENDING FEDERAL CENSORSHIP

This executive order aims to restore freedom of speech by prohibiting federal government censorship and investigating past actions that allegedly violated free speech rights.

It declares a policy to protect free speech, directs investigations and corrective actions regarding past censorship, and clarifies that no federal resources may be used for unconstitutional speech restrictions.

The order also includes provisions to avoid interfering with existing agency authority, dependent on existing appropriations and creating no new legal rights or benefits.