President Trump Signed a Thing, but Then What Happened?

President Donald Trump has signed dozens of executive orders and presidential memorandums. Some of them are one-offs. They proclaim something or change something and that’s it, done. But others establish timelines for reporting and other actions focused on altering the long term nature of policy and governmental structures.

At almost four months in some of those deadlines have been reached and some are fast approaching. Here’s an update on how those efforts are proceeding and where you can go to find out more. Let’s jump in!

Jan 24: Presidential Memorandum Regarding Construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline & Presidential Memorandum Regarding Construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline

• The Keystone pipeline was approved by the U.S. State Department. The president announced it on March 24.
• Keystone construction is held up currently by the state of Nebraska, which is still collecting public comments.
• Native tribes have organized protests and are requesting meetings with TransCanada to reconsider the Keystone route. Negotiations are ongoing.
• The Army Corps of Engineers issued an easement allowing for construction of the final section of the Dakota Access Pipeline in early February.
• Energy Transfer Partners filed a status report with the federal court March 27 saying that oil was flowing through the pipeline and the system would soon be in full operation.

Jan. 24: Presidential Memorandum Streamlining Permitting and Reducing Regulatory Burdens for Domestic Manufacturing

• Department of Commerce began requesting input on the impact of federal regulations on domestic manufacturing March 7. Comments can be viewed here.
• According to the memorandum a report was due within 60 days, which would have been late March. The Washington Post reported on April 16 that the report is expected in late May.

Jan 26: Presidential Memorandum on Rebuilding the U.S. Armed Forces

• Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis was directed to present a "Readiness Review" within 30 days, recommendations for the fiscal year 2017 budget to address shortfalls, and a plan of action to reach department goals by FY 2019 in 60 days.
• Military leaders made an appropriation proposal to the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee in late March.
• None of the stipulated reports are currently available on the Dept. of Defense website.

Feb 24: Presidential Executive Order on Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda

• Within 60 days the head of each agency (listed here) was directed to appoint a Regulatory Reform Officer and a Regulatory Reform Task Force.
• The EPA published their agency response and updates here. They received 55,100 comments when they called for public input.
• Under the Dept of Commerce, the US. Patent and Trademark Office outlines their task force here.
• No searches of the Depts. of Agriculture, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Justice, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, Veterans Affairs, or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration turned up any publicly available information.

Feb. 28: Presidential Executive Order on Restoring the Rule of Law, Federalism, and Economic Growth by Reviewing the "Waters of the United States" Rule

• The EPA was directed to review the definition of "waters of the United States."
• How the "waters of the United States" is defined affects enforcement of the Clean Water Act — including tribal and state certification programs, pollution permits, and oil spill prevention and planning programs.
• The EPA has created an extensive website for citizens to track the review and redefinition process.

March 28: Presidential Executive Order on Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth

• Dismantling of the Clean Power Plan was ordered.

• The DC Circuit Court granted the Trump administration’s request to suspend lawsuits against the Clean Power Plan rule for 60 days in late April, signaling the likely end of President Barack Obama’s signature climate policy.

March 31: Presidential Executive Order Regarding the Omnibus Report on Significant Trade Deficits

• Omnibus Report on Significant Trade Deficits from the Secretary of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative due by late June.

April 27: Presidential Executive Order on the Review of Designations Under the Antiquities Act

• Ordered the Secretary of the Interior to review all national monument designations over 100,000 acres since 1996 and present a report concerning possible changes within 120 days.

• Special report ordered on Bears Ears National Monument in Utah within 45 days. That’s coming soon — Monday, June 12.

As always, Countable wants to provide information to you to actively participate in your government. Let us know what other executive orders and presidential memoranda you are wondering about. They signed a thing, but then what actually happened? We’ll help you find out.

Have questions about Trump's executive actions? Let us know! Send us an email and you could see your answer in a future post.

— Asha Sanaker

(Photo Credit: Wikimedia / Creative Commons)