National Security & Defense

The National Security & Defense section addresses key issues related to military operations, border security, defense against foreign adversaries, and the restructuring of US intelligence agencies to prioritize national security and address emerging threats. Asterisked executive orders are currently or have been challenged in court. Our legal challenge tracker provides daily updates on their respective statuses.

• Liberating the Department of Homeland Security from the Democrat-Caused Shutdown: Declares the lapse in Department of Homeland Security funding an emergency compromising national security and orders to use legally available funds to pay DHS employees missed during the shutdown. (4/3)
• Adjusting Imports of Pharmaceuticals and Pharmaceutical Ingredients into the United States: Concludes that imports of patented pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients pose a national security risk and responds by imposing steep Section 232 tariffs—up to 100 percent. (4/2)
• Adjusting Certain Delegations Under the Defense Production Act: Amends prior delegations under the Defense Production Act to allow both the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Energy to independently exercise certain authorities and when to seek presidential approval. (3/13)
• Commitment to Countering Cartel Criminal Activity: Declares the U.S. commitment to dismantle criminal cartels and foreign terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere by coordinating with allies, cutting off their territory and financing, and training partner militaries using all lawful resources. (3/7)
• Combating Cybercrime, Fraud, and Predatory Schemes Against American Citizens: Establishes U.S. policy to protect Americans by coordinating law enforcement, diplomacy, international pressure, and victim support to prevent, disrupt, and dismantle foreign criminal networks engaged in cyber-enabled fraud and related predatory activities. (3/6)
• Strengthening United States National Defense with America's Beautiful Clean Coal Power Generation Fleet: Asserts that coal-fired power is essential to U.S. national defense and grid reliability. (2/11)
• Modifying Duties to Address Threats to the United States by the Government of the Russian Federation: Removes the 25 percent tariff on Indian imports because India committed to stop importing Russian oil, align more closely with U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives. (2/6)
• Establishing an America First Arms Transfer Strategy: Establishes an “America First” arms transfer strategy that uses U.S. weapons sales as a foreign policy and economic tool to prioritize American interests. (2/6)
• Protecting the National Security and Welfare of the United States and Its Citizens from Criminal Actors and Other Public Safety Threats: Directs the Department of Homeland Security to maximize access to federal criminal history records and expand reciprocal information-sharing with trusted foreign governments. (2/6)
• Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of Iran: Authorizes imposing additional tariffs on imports from countries that continue to purchase Iranian goods. (2/6)
• Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of Cuba: Declares a national emergency over Cuba’s actions, citing security threats, support for hostile states and terrorist groups, and human-rights abuses, and authorizing the United States to impose tariffs on countries that supply oil to Cuba as a means of addressing that threat. (1/29)
• Adjusting Imports of Processed Critical Minerals and Their Derivative Products into the United States: Directed negotiations and potential trade measures to reduce U.S. reliance on, imported processed critical minerals. (1/14)
• Adjusting Imports of Semiconductors, Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment, and Their Derivative Products into the United States: The United States, citing national security risks from heavy reliance on imported semiconductors and related equipment, is immediately imposing a 25% tariff on certain advanced chips. (1/14)
• Safeguarding Venezuelan Oil Revenue for the Good of the American and Venezuelan People: Declares a national emergency and prohibits any judicial process against Venezuelan government oil funds held in U.S. Treasury accounts. (1/9)
• Withdrawing the United States from International Organizations, Conventions, and Treaties that Are Contrary to the Interests of the United States: Directs all U.S. executive departments and agencies to immediately withdraw from and end support for a long list of international organizations, conventions, and treaties. (1/7)
• Prioritizing the Warfighter in Defense Contracting: Directs U.S. defense contractors to prioritize timely and high-quality production for the military over investor profits. (1/7)
• Regarding the Acquisition of Certain Assets of EMCORE Corporation by HieFo Corporation: Orders HieFo Corporation to divest all interests in the Emcore Corporation’s digital chip and wafer businesses due to national security concerns. (1/2)

To learn more please visit www.whitehouse.gov

Last updated 4/6/2026