President Trump has announced new appointments to the Council of Governors, a bipartisan group designed to improve collaboration between state and federal authorities on national security, disaster response, and military coordination. Established by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 and an executive order in 2010, this council plays a crucial role in ensuring effective communication and cooperation during emergencies. The appointments could strengthen state-federal partnerships, potentially impacting how efficiently the U.S. responds to crises, though they may also spark political debates over federal versus state authority.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on February 13, 2025, establishing the President's Make America Healthy Again Commission to tackle the alarming health crisis in the United States. This commission aims to address rising rates of chronic diseases, particularly among children, by promoting healthier lifestyles and improving transparency in health research. The initiative could have significant implications for public health policy and federal spending, as it seeks to realign government efforts towards disease prevention and the reduction of chronic illness rates across the nation.

President Trump has announced a series of appointments to the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, led by Alex Meyer as Director. This team, comprised of seasoned campaign veterans and political operatives, is tasked with strengthening ties between the federal government and state, local, tribal, and territorial governments. These appointments could bolster political coordination and policy implementation across various levels of government, potentially influencing both the administration's agenda and its relationship with key regional stakeholders.

Executive Order 14211, titled "One Voice for America's Foreign Relations," mandates that all U.S. foreign policy actions be conducted under the President's direction, emphasizing the President's constitutional authority in foreign affairs. It requires the Secretary of State to ensure the Foreign Service and related personnel faithfully implement the President's foreign policy, with failure to do so potentially resulting in disciplinary actions. The order also calls for reforms in recruitment, performance evaluation, and training to align the workforce with the President's foreign policy agenda, granting the Secretary of State discretion in implementing these changes.

The President has issued a directive for government agencies to publicly disclose details of terminated programs, canceled contracts, and discontinued grants to promote transparency about wasteful spending. This action aims to inform taxpayers about how their money has been used on projects that may not align with national interests, potentially leading to increased public scrutiny and accountability in government spending. Legally, this move requires compliance with existing laws and regulations on information disclosure, which could spark political debate over the definition and impact of "wasteful" spending.

In response to continued high levels of aluminum imports threatening U.S. national security, President Trump has issued a proclamation increasing tariffs on aluminum imports from 10% to 25% effective March 12, 2025. The action terminates previous agreements with countries like Canada, Mexico, and the EU, making their aluminum imports subject to the new tariff rate, and aims to bolster domestic aluminum production by closing loopholes and addressing unfair trade practices. This move is intended to protect the U.S. aluminum industry from global overcapacity and ensure national security by encouraging domestic production.

On February 10, 2025, President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation reinstating a 25 percent ad valorem tariff on steel imports from countries previously exempted or under alternative trade agreements, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, the EU, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and the UK, effective March 12, 2025. This action aims to address the significant increase in steel imports that threaten U.S. national security by impairing domestic steel production capacity. The proclamation also terminates existing product exclusion processes and requires all relevant steel imports to adhere to the reinstated tariffs, signaling a shift to a more protectionist trade policy to bolster the U.S. steel industry.

President Donald J. Trump has officially proclaimed February 17, 2025, as a reserved holiday to honor George Washington's Birthday, celebrating the first U.S. President's legacy as a foundational figure in American history. The proclamation emphasizes Washington's role in shaping the federal government, his commitment to an "America First" foreign policy, and his embodiment of patriotism and public service. While largely ceremonial, this action underscores the administration's focus on historical American values, potentially influencing national discourse on leadership and patriotism.

President Donald J. Trump approved an emergency declaration for Kentucky, authorizing federal assistance to support state and local efforts in response to severe storms, winds, flooding, and landslides beginning February 14, 2025. This action enables FEMA to coordinate disaster relief efforts, providing necessary resources and equipment, with federal funding covering 75% of the emergency protective measures. Jeremy Slinker has been appointed to oversee federal recovery operations in all 120 counties of Kentucky, aiming to alleviate hardship and protect public safety.

The presidential order aims to prevent educational institutions from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations as a condition for in-person attendance by withholding discretionary federal funds from non-compliant schools. It emphasizes respecting parental authority, religious freedom, and equal protection under the law, directing the Secretary of Education to issue guidelines and develop a plan to end coercive vaccine mandates. This action could significantly impact schools and universities by shifting the focus to personal choice and potentially altering funding structures based on compliance.

On February 10, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to end the federal government's procurement and use of paper straws, citing their inefficiency and potential health risks. The order mandates federal agencies to stop purchasing paper straws and reverse policies that disfavor plastic straws, aiming to develop a national strategy within 45 days to eliminate paper straw usage. This action could face legal and political challenges, especially from environmental advocates and states with existing bans on plastic straws, as it counters previous sustainability efforts.

On February 10, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to eliminate the Federal Executive Institute, a program established over 50 years ago to provide leadership training for federal employees. The decision is part of a broader policy to cut government programs that do not directly benefit the American people or advance national interests, aiming to reduce the influence of the Washington, D.C. bureaucratic class. This move could face legal scrutiny or political pushback, as it involves revoking previous executive directives and potentially impacts federal employee training and development.

The presidential memorandum issued on January 31, 2025, restricts executive departments and agencies from finalizing collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) within 30 days before a new presidential administration takes office. This action aims to prevent outgoing administrations from binding their successors with policies that may not align with the new administration's goals, thereby preserving the incoming president's authority to manage the executive branch effectively. The memorandum excludes CBAs primarily covering law enforcement officers and mandates disapproval of any agreements violating these new restrictions unless they are consistent with existing contractual provisions.

Executive Order 14210 establishes the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) Workforce Optimization Initiative, aimed at reducing the size of the federal workforce through efficiency improvements and attrition, mandating a hiring ratio of one new employee for every four that depart, with exceptions for public safety, immigration, and law enforcement roles. Agency Heads are tasked with developing data-driven hiring plans in consultation with DOGE Team Leads and preparing for potential large-scale reductions in force, prioritizing non-essential functions. The initiative seeks to eliminate waste and improve accountability, with the Office of Personnel Management revising suitability criteria and agencies submitting reorganization plans to potentially consolidate or eliminate statutory entities.

President Donald Trump issued an executive order temporarily pausing the enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) for 180 days, citing concerns that its current enforcement undermines U.S. economic competitiveness and national security. During this period, the Attorney General will review and potentially revise FCPA guidelines to better align with the President’s foreign policy goals and prioritize American business interests. This move could face legal and political challenges, as it involves altering established anti-corruption practices, potentially affecting international business standards and U.S. relations with other countries.