Directives Published July 2025
Directive Watch is your source for clear, concise explanation of Presidential directives and executive orders issued by the White House.
We break down the technical legal jargon of each directive, explaining in plain language what it means and its potential impact.
Summary
- 18th Jul 25 A two-year exemption from new ethylene oxide emissions standards was granted to several facilities to safeguard the supply of sterile medical equipment. View
- 17th Jul 25 A presidential proclamation exempted certain coal-fired power plants from stricter emission standards for two years, citing energy security and technological limitations. View
- 17th Jul 25 A two-year exemption from certain Clean Air Act regulations was granted to specific chemical manufacturing facilities to safeguard national security and economic resilience. View
- 17th Jul 25 A two-year exemption from the Taconite Rule was granted to specific iron ore processing facilities to protect national security and economic interests. View
- 17th Jul 25 A new Schedule G was created in the excepted service for policy-making and policy-advocating positions; existing Civil Service Rules VI were amended to accommodate this change; and specific implementation procedures and restrictions were put into place within the Department of Veterans Affairs. View
- 17th Jul 25 The president sent several nominations to the Senate for various federal positions, including ambassadors, agency heads, and US attorneys. View
- 15th Jul 25 The President sent three judicial nominations to the Senate for confirmation. View
- 9th Jul 25 The president sent four nominations to the Senate for Ambassador positions in Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Kazakhstan. View
- 7th Jul 25 The President extended the suspension of tariffs on certain imported goods until August 1, 2025; modifying the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States accordingly. View
- 7th Jul 25 A policy was implemented freezing most Federal civilian hiring within the Executive Branch until October 15, 2025, with exceptions for public safety and national security positions. View
- 7th Jul 25 The President issued an order to end subsidies for unreliable, foreign-controlled energy sources, directing the Treasury and Interior Departments to implement specific actions to that end. View
- 4th Jul 25 The executive order established the President's Make America Beautiful Again Commission and directed federal agencies to improve conservation efforts, expand public land access, and reduce bureaucratic delays. View
- 3rd Jul 25 The President increased entrance fees for foreign tourists to US national parks, improved affordability for domestic visitors, and directed agencies to enhance park infrastructure and visitor access. View
- 2nd Jul 25 President Trump proclaimed July 5, 2025, as the 160th Anniversary of the United States Secret Service, honoring its agents' service and the agency's history. View
- 1st Jul 25 The President sent numerous nominations to the Senate for various federal positions. View
Regulatory Relief for Certain Stationary Sources to Promote American Security with Respect to Sterile Medical Equipment
President Trump issued a proclamation granting a two-year exemption from new ethylene oxide emissions standards for specific sterilization facilities.
This action is intended to prevent shortages of sterile medical equipment, deemed critical for both civilian and military medical systems.
The proclamation cites the lack of commercially viable technology to comply with the new standards and declares the exemption essential for national security.
The exemption delays implementation of Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) April 2024 rule.
Regulatory Relief for Certain Stationary Sources to Further Promote American Energy
President Trump issued a proclamation granting a two-year exemption from stricter EPA emission standards for several specified coal-fired power plants.
The exemption is justified on grounds of national energy security, grid reliability, and the unavailability of commercially viable technology to meet the stricter standards.
The proclamation cites potential negative economic and national security consequences of immediate compliance with the new rule.
Regulatory Relief for Certain Stationary Sources to Promote American Chemical Manufacturing Security
President Trump issued a proclamation granting a two-year exemption from specific Clean Air Act regulations for listed chemical manufacturing facilities.
The exemption, justified by national security concerns and the unavailability of necessary compliance technologies, aims to protect the domestic chemical industry and reduce reliance on foreign producers.
The proclamation identifies several facilities across multiple states and asserts that the temporary exemption will allow these facilities to continue operation while solutions to comply with the HON Rule are developed.
Regulatory Relief for Certain Stationary Sources to Promote American Iron Ore Processing Security
President Trump issued a proclamation granting a two-year exemption from the Taconite Rule for specific iron ore processing facilities.
The exemption, based on national security and economic considerations, cites the unavailability of necessary technology for prompt compliance with the rule and concerns over the impact on domestic steel production, critical infrastructure, and supply chain resilience.
The proclamation identifies specific facilities from United States Steel Corporation and Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. as beneficiaries of the delay, extending compliance deadlines by two years.
President Trump issued an executive order creating Schedule G within the excepted service. This addresses what was perceived to be a gap in existing processes to fill policy-making and policy-advocating positions.
The order mandates that individuals appointed to these positions under Schedule G should be aligned with the administration's policies, but political affiliation is not to be a deciding factor.
It formally amends existing Civil Service Rules to include Schedule G, detailing its application and implications for several other existing schedules, and emphasizes improvements to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ operations as justification.
Finally, it outlines implementation procedures and limitations, affirming that the order does not have a legally enforceable impact on existing rights.
Nominations Sent to the Senate
President Biden submitted a series of nominations to the Senate for key positions within various federal agencies.
These nominations include ambassadors to international organizations, United States Attorneys, agency leadership roles such as Chief Agricultural Negotiator and CFO of the Department of Agriculture, members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the National Labor Relations Board, and the Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture.
The nominees represent diverse states and bring a range of experience to their respective positions.
Nominations Sent to the Senate
President Biden announced three judicial nominations to the Senate: Joshua Dunlap for the First Circuit Court of Appeals, William Mercer for the District of Montana, and Eric Tung for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
These nominations fill vacancies created by retirements and aim to maintain the efficient functioning of the federal judiciary.
Nominations Sent to the Senate
President Biden submitted four nominations to the Senate for Ambassadorial positions.
The nominees are Nicholas Adams (Malaysia), Eric Meyer (Sri Lanka), Sean O'Neill (Thailand), and Julie Stufft (Kazakhstan).
The Senate confirmation process will determine if these nominations are approved.
Extending the Modification of the Reciprocal Tariff Rates
President Trump issued an order extending the temporary suspension of additional tariffs on goods from various foreign trading partners until August 1, 2025.
This action modifies the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), building upon prior executive orders aimed at rectifying trade imbalances and improving alignment with US economic and national security interests.
The extension is based on ongoing discussions with trading partners and recommendations from senior officials.
The order excludes the People's Republic of China, for which a separate tariff suspension remains in place.
President Trump issued a memorandum establishing a policy to govern the hiring of Federal civilian employees within the Executive Branch until October 15, 2025.
The policy generally prohibits filling vacant positions or creating new ones unless otherwise specified in the memorandum or required by law.
Exceptions are made for positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, and public safety, as well as for Presidential appointments and Senate confirmations.
The policy aims to ensure accountability, prioritize public safety, and aligns with the Merit Hiring Plan under Executive Order 14170.
Contracting to circumvent this policy is prohibited.
Ending Market Distorting Subsidies for Unreliable, Foreign‑Controlled Energy Sources
This presidential order aims to eliminate government subsidies for wind and solar energy, arguing that they are expensive, unreliable, and create dependence on foreign supply chains.
The order directs the Departments of the Treasury and Interior to take swift action to end these subsidies, implement stricter regulations, and conduct reviews of existing policies.
Reports on these actions are required within 45 days of the order's issuance.
Establishing the President’s Make America Beautiful Again Commission
This executive order establishes the President's Make America Beautiful Again Commission to address the significant deferred maintenance and access issues impacting America's national parks and public lands.
The commission will advise the President on responsible conservation strategies, promoting economic growth alongside environmental stewardship.
The order directs federal land management agencies to prioritize responsible resource management, expand public access for recreation, and cut bureaucratic delays.
Making America Beautiful Again by Improving Our National Parks
President Trump issued an order to improve US National Parks.
The order increases entrance fees for foreign tourists to fund infrastructure improvements and enhance visitor experiences while also aiming to improve affordability for US residents.
The order also revokes a previous memorandum on diversity and inclusion in national parks and directs several government agencies to implement the changes.
President Donald J. Trump's July 2, 2025, proclamation declares July 5, 2025, as the 160th Anniversary of the United States Secret Service. The proclamation details the agency's history, evolving mission, and the significant sacrifices made by its agents throughout the years, emphasizing bravery and dedication in protecting national leaders.
It calls upon all Americans to express gratitude to the Secret Service agents.
The President announced a series of nominations for key positions within various federal agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Labor, and Justice, as well as the African and Asian Development Banks and Social Security.
These nominations encompass several different roles such as United States Attorneys, Assistant Secretaries, and Board Members for agencies such as the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Each nominee's state of residence and specific role are detailed in the announcement.