Directives Published April 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
- 20th Apr 26 * The President determined that grid infrastructure supply chains are essential to national defense and invoked Section 303 of the Defense Production Act to expand domestic production capacity. View
- 20th Apr 26 * The President determined that developing large-scale energy infrastructure is essential to national defense, invoking the Defense Production Act, Section 303, to authorize the Secretary of Energy to use purchases and financial support to expand domestic industrial capacity, while simultaneously waiving standard DPA requirements. View
- 20th Apr 26 * The President determined that domestic natural gas and LNG capacity is essential to national defense and directed the Secretary of Energy to utilize the Defense Production Act, waiving specific requirements to expedite infrastructure expansion. View
- 20th Apr 26 * The President determined that coal supply chains and baseload power generation are essential to national defense and directed the Secretary of Energy to use the Defense Production Act to expand and secure these capabilities, including waiving certain DPA requirements. View
- 20th Apr 26 * A Presidential Determination was issued, invoking Section 303 of the Defense Production Act to secure and expand domestic petroleum production, refining, and logistics capacity deemed essential for national defense. View
- 20th Apr 26 * The President exempted the Air Force's jet fighter training operations in Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada from water pollution control requirements for a one-year period starting April 20, 2026, citing paramount national interest. View
- 18th Apr 26 * Established policy to accelerate research and approval of psychedelic drugs for serious mental illness and directed federal agencies to facilitate access and collaboration. View
- 15th Apr 26 * A Presidential Permit was granted authorizing Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership to operate and maintain existing crude oil and petroleum product pipeline facilities in Pembina County, North Dakota, subject to numerous operational, liability, and security conditions. View
- 15th Apr 26 * Authorized Enbridge Pipelines (Southern Lights) L.L.C. to operate and maintain existing pipeline border facilities in Pembina County, North Dakota, for crude oil and petroleum product transport, superseding the 2008 permit. View
- 15th Apr 26 * The President authorized Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership to operate and maintain existing crude oil and petroleum product pipeline facilities at the North Dakota-Canada border, replacing a previous permit. View
- 15th Apr 26 * The President issued a Presidential Permit authorizing Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership to operate and maintain existing pipeline Border facilities for crude oil and petroleum product transport at the North Dakota/Canada international boundary, superseding the 1998 permit. View
- 15th Apr 26 * Granted Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership authority to operate and maintain existing pipeline border facilities in Pembina County, North Dakota, for transporting crude oil and petroleum products between the U.S. and Canada, subject to nine specific operational and regulatory conditions. View
- 15th Apr 26 * Granted Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership a Presidential Permit to operate and maintain existing petroleum product pipeline border facilities in St. Clair County, Michigan, superseding a 1991 permit and outlining operational conditions and federal oversight. View
- 15th Apr 26 * The President issued a Presidential Permit authorizing Enbridge Energy Company, Inc. to operate and maintain existing pipeline border facilities in St. Clair County, Michigan, for transporting crude oil and petroleum products between the U.S. and Canada, superseding the 1953 permit. View
- 15th Apr 26 * The President granted Bakken Pipeline Company LP a new Presidential Permit to operate and maintain existing Border Facilities near Portal, North Dakota, for transporting crude oil and petroleum products across the U.S.-Canada boundary, subject to several operating conditions. View
- 15th Apr 26 * The President granted a Presidential Permit to Bakken Pipeline Company LP to construct and operate crude oil pipeline border facilities near Portal, North Dakota, subject to numerous federal conditions and national security provisions. View
- 14th Apr 26 * The President formally submitted a list of nominees, including candidates for U.S. District Judgeships and D.C. Superior Court Associate Judgeships, to the Senate for consideration. View
- 13th Apr 26 The President forwarded a list of nominations to the Senate for confirmation across multiple departments and agencies, and concurrently withdrew one prior nomination. View
- 11th Apr 26 * The President declared April 12, 2026, as a Day of Celebration honoring Henry Clay and directed the redesignation of Secretary of State Room 208 in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building as the Henry Clay Room. View
- 8th Apr 26 * The President ordered mandatory sequestration reductions for fiscal year 2027 direct spending accounts, effective October 1, 2026, based on calculations provided by the Office of Management and Budget. View
- 3rd Apr 26 The President issued an executive order establishing federal review mechanisms, definitions, and encouraged governing bodies to adopt new rules for college athletics—focusing on eligibility, transfers, and NIL payments—to protect the financial stability of universities and preserve non-revenue-generating sports, effective August 1, 2026. View
- 3rd Apr 26 * The President directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to use available funds to provide back pay and benefits to all DHS employees affected by a government shutdown, citing a national security emergency. View
- 2nd Apr 26 * The President imposed a 100% <em>ad valorem</em> tariff on specified imported patented pharmaceuticals and APIs under Section 232 authority, while setting lower tariff rates for companies committing to domestic onshoring and directing negotiation efforts to secure supply chains. View
- 2nd Apr 26 The President strengthened existing Section 232 tariffs on aluminum, steel, and copper imports by applying duties to the full customs value, setting new specific *ad valorem* rates, offering preferential rates, and altering the process for adding derivative articles. View
The President issued a determination for the Secretary of Energy, declaring that the nation's electric grid infrastructure and its associated supply chains are essential national defense resources facing severe threats due to foreign overreliance and outdated domestic capacity.
Citing a prior national energy emergency declaration, the President invoked Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 to authorize the government to take necessary actions, including purchases and financial support, to rapidly expand domestic manufacturing capabilities for critical grid components like transformers and high-voltage equipment, thereby averting a shortfall that could severely impair national defense.
This Presidential Determination directs the Secretary of Energy to use authority under Section 303 of the Defense Production Act (DPA) of 1950 to expedite the development, manufacturing, and deployment of large-scale energy and energy-related infrastructure.
Citing a prior declaration of a national energy emergency due to inadequate domestic energy supply posing a threat to national security, the President finds that market risks and regulatory delays prevent the timely meeting of crucial industrial capacity needs.
Consequently, the President determines that expanding this domestic capability is essential for national defense and waives certain procedural requirements of the DPA to enable immediate purchasing, commitments, and financial support for these projects.
This Presidential Determination directs the Secretary of Energy to use the authority granted under Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 to expand domestic natural gas transmission, processing, storage, and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) capacity.
The action is framed as essential for national defense and ensuring allied energy security against threats posed by hostile foreign powers utilizing energy reliance as a weapon.
The President specifically waives certain DPA requirements, finding that industry cannot meet these critical infrastructure needs in a timely manner due to financing, permitting, and construction delays.
This Presidential Memorandum directs the Secretary of Energy to utilize the authority granted under Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 to secure and expand coal supply chains and baseload power generation capacity.
The action is predicated on a finding, previously established in Executive Order 14156, that inadequate energy supply poses an unusual and extraordinary threat to the Nation’s economy and national security, asserting that coal infrastructure is crucial for maintaining grid stability, supporting defense operations, and meeting the high energy demands of emerging technologies.
The document explicitly determines that industry cannot meet these needs in a timely manner due to market barriers and consequently waives several DPA requirements to allow for immediate purchases, commitments, and financial support measures.
Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended, on Domestic Petroleum Production, Refining, and Logistics Capacity
President Trump issues a Presidential Determination to the Secretary of Energy, activating Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 following a prior declaration of a National Energy Emergency.
This action officially designates domestic petroleum production, refining, and logistics capacity—including pipelines and terminals—as critical national defense resources.
The President finds that federal intervention via purchases, commitments, or financial support is necessary because industry cannot meet the required expansion timely due to financing and permitting hurdles, leading to a waiver of standard DPA procedural requirements for the purpose of immediately bolstering U.S. defense readiness.
Presidential Determination Concerning the Air Force’s Jet Fighter Training Operations in Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada
The President issued a memorandum exempting the United States Air Force's jet fighter training operations located in Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada from Federal, state, and local requirements concerning water pollution control and abatement for a one-year period, specifically from April 20, 2026, to April 20, 2027.
This action is taken pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, based on the determination that these exemptions are in the paramount interest of the United States, particularly in relation to ongoing litigation regarding these training activities, although specific sections of the Act (33 U.S.C. 1316 and 1317) remain in effect.
Accelerating Medical Treatments for Serious Mental Illness
This Presidential Action establishes a policy to accelerate the research, drug approval process, and access to innovative treatments, specifically psychedelic drugs like ibogaine compounds, for Americans suffering from serious mental illnesses such as major depressive disorder and substance abuse disorder, citing persistent high rates of suicide and inadequate results from standard therapies.
The order directs the FDA to prioritize review via National Priority Vouchers, mandates the establishment of access pathways via the Right to Try Act, allocates HHS funding for State partnerships, directs collaboration between HHS, FDA, and VA for data sharing, and requires the Attorney General to expedite rescheduling reviews for compounds that successfully complete Phase 3 clinical trials.
Presidential Permit: Authorizing Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership to Operate and Maintain Three Existing Pipeline Facilities at Pembina County, North Dakota, at the International Boundary Between the United States and Canada
The President issued a Presidential Permit, exercising authority vested in the office, to Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership, a Canadian-owned subsidiary, to operate and maintain three existing pipeline Border facilities in Pembina County, North Dakota, for transporting crude oil and various petroleum products across the U.S.-Canada border.
This permit supersedes a previous permit from 1991 and establishes several conditions, including subjecting the facilities to all applicable laws and regulations, mandating permittee responsibility for maintenance and liability indemnity, granting the U.S. the right to take possession for national security purposes, and requiring removal of the facilities upon permit termination unless otherwise directed.