Directives Published March 2026
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
- 13th Mar 26 * The President amended Executive Order 13603 to grant independent DPA authority to the Secretary of Energy alongside the Secretary of Commerce and clarified the recommendation requirements under Executive Order 14156. View
- 13th Mar 26 * The President directed the FTC to prioritize enforcement against deceptive "Made in America" claims, mandated agencies to review origin claims in government procurement contracts, and encouraged regulations for online marketplace verification of country-of-origin labeling. View
- 13th Mar 26 * Directed federal agencies to review and revise regulations impacting stormwater, wetlands, environmental permitting, energy efficiency, and housing development guidelines to reduce costs and streamline processes supporting residential construction. View
- 13th Mar 26 * Directed federal financial regulators to reduce regulatory burdens on community banks related to mortgage origination, servicing, capital requirements, and appraisals to increase access to affordable mortgage credit. View
- 12th Mar 26 * President Trump declared March 2026 as Women's History Month and detailed policy actions aimed at supporting women, families, and female athletes. View
- 12th Mar 26 * The President submitted one new nomination to the Senate and formally withdrew two prior nominations previously sent to the chamber for confirmation. View
- 11th Mar 26 * A Presidential Memorandum was issued requiring the TVA Board of Directors to adopt policies setting a maximum total annual compensation limit of $500,000 for all TVA employees to ensure fiscal responsibility. View
- 9th Mar 26 The President submitted several nominations to the Senate, including candidates for Secretary of Homeland Security, U.S. Marshals, and diplomatic/State Department positions. View
- 9th Mar 26 The President proclaimed March 9, 2026, as U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, citing recent release successes and announcing new executive actions to sanction nations wrongfully detaining U.S. citizens. View
- 7th Mar 26 * The President proclaimed a commitment to demolish criminal cartels and foreign terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere using all necessary legal authorities and international coordination. View
- 6th Mar 26 * The President directed federal agencies to combat TCOs engaged in cybercrime and fraud by creating an NCC operational cell, proposing a victim restoration fund, and using diplomatic tools against complicit foreign nations. View
- 4th Mar 26 * The President proclaimed that the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, accepted by seven technology companies on March 4, 2026, effectuates national policy ensuring data center energy needs do not raise household electricity costs. View
- 4th Mar 26 * The President submitted nominations for Kevin Warsh to serve as Chairman and as a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to the Senate. View
- 2nd Mar 26 The President submitted a list of new nominations for various federal offices, including judicial appointments and leadership roles in agencies like the Postal Service and State Department, to the Senate for confirmation. View
This Presidential Action amends Executive Order 13603 by granting the Secretary of Energy independent authority alongside the Secretary of Commerce in exercising powers delegated under the Defense Production Act (DPA).
Furthermore, the order clarifies that agency heads are not required to recommend actions to the President under Executive Order 14156 concerning a national energy emergency if that specific action authority has already been delegated to them via the DPA or other means.
Ensuring Truthful Advertising of Products Claiming to be Made in America
This Presidential Action establishes a policy to protect consumers and domestic manufacturers by requiring enforcement against fraudulent or misleading "Made in America" advertising claims, especially in the digital marketplace.
The order instructs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prioritize enforcement actions and consider regulations holding online marketplaces accountable for verifying origin claims.
Additionally, it directs agencies overseeing government contracts to review and verify American-origin claims for procured products, referring potential violators of the Buy American Act to the Department of Justice for action under the False Claims Act.
The Order concludes with standard general provisions detailing implementation subject to law and appropriations.
Removing Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Home Construction
This Presidential Action establishes a policy favoring the reduction of regulatory barriers across federal agencies to lower the costs and speed the process of residential construction, thereby promoting American homeownership.
The order directs components within the Departments of the Army, EPA, Commerce, HUD, Transportation, Agriculture, and Energy, alongside the FHFA and the Council on Environmental Quality, to review and revise existing rules—particularly those related to water permitting, environmental review (NEPA/CWA), building codes, and development mandates—that unnecessarily constrain housing inventory.
Furthermore, it requires HUD to develop best practices for state and local governments to mimic this deregulation and mandates an evaluation of aligning Opportunity Zone incentives to specifically boost single-family home construction.
The President issued an order to reduce regulatory burdens imposed primarily by Dodd-Frank and subsequent rulemakings that have increased compliance costs and reduced participation, especially among community banks, in mortgage origination and servicing.
The action directs various federal agencies, including the CFPB, Federal Reserve, FDIC, and FHFA, to revise rules concerning Ability-to-Repay (ATR), Qualified Mortgage (QM), HMDA reporting, capital requirements, appraisals, and servicing to improve the availability and affordability of mortgage credit, particularly for smaller banks and creditworthy borrowers facing barriers.
Women’s History Month, 2026
President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation designating March 2026 as Women's History Month, recognizing the diverse and significant achievements of American women throughout the nation's 250-year history.
The proclamation celebrates women in leadership, industry, service, and family roles, while also detailing specific policy actions taken by the administration intended to empower women and families, focusing on economic relief, child-rearing support, and maintaining fair competition in women's sports.
Nomination and Withdrawals Sent to the Senate
This presidential action document formally notifies the Senate about the transmission of one new nomination—Sarah B. Rogers for Chief Executive Officer of the United States Agency for Global Media—and simultaneously announces the withdrawal of two previously submitted nominations: William Hewes III for Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Jeremy Carl for Assistant Secretary of State (International Organizations).
Promoting Fiscal Responsibility in Compensation Practices at the Tennessee Valley Authority
This Presidential Memorandum directs the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to promote fiscal responsibility by imposing limits on employee compensation, citing excessive executive pay compared to public sector standards.
The core directive requires the Board to consider compensation of federal and state officials more heavily in its annual surveys and to adopt policies establishing a maximum total annual compensation of $500,000 for all TVA employees, effective for new arrangements entered into after the memorandum's date.
The Board has 90 days to consider adopting these policies and 120 days to submit written certification of compliance to the President through the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Nominations Sent to the Senate
This document lists several nominations that the President has formally sent to the Senate for consideration and confirmation.
The nominations cover high-level roles within the executive branch, including the appointment of Markwayne Mullin for Secretary of Homeland Security, appointments for U.S. Marshals in Missouri and West Virginia, nominations for diplomatic posts as U.S. Representative to the OSCE and Ambassadors to Guatemala and Tanzania, and the appointment of an Assistant Secretary of State.