Directives Published June 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
- 2nd Jun 26 * The President ordered the enhancement of governmental cyber defenses, established protocols for monitoring advanced AI models, and prioritized enforcement against criminal misuse of artificial intelligence. View
- 2nd Jun 26 * Adjusted Section 232 tariffs on aluminum, steel, and copper imports by creating targeted duty reductions for certain derivative products like agricultural equipment, expanding covered items, and lowering the domestic content requirement threshold. View
- 1st Jun 26 * The President transmitted numerous nominations for ambassadorships and domestic posts to the Senate for confirmation and simultaneously withdrew one prior nomination. View
This Presidential Action establishes a national policy focused on maintaining U.S. leadership in Artificial Intelligence (AI) by simultaneously encouraging innovation and strengthening national security against evolving AI-related threats.
The action directs various departments, including War, Homeland Security, and the Treasury, to immediately upgrade federal system cyber defenses, prioritize the defense of National Security Systems, and establish a voluntary information-sharing arrangement with AI developers regarding "covered frontier models" to assess potential risks before public release.
Furthermore, the Attorney General is tasked with prioritizing the criminal prosecution of individuals who misuse AI to illegally access or damage computer systems.
Further Adjusting the Tariff Regimes for Imports of Aluminum, Steel, and Copper into the United States
This Presidential Proclamation formally modifies the existing Section 232 tariff regimes imposed on imports of aluminum, steel, and copper, as established in prior proclamations, based on recommendations from the Secretary of Commerce regarding national security concerns and domestic economic impacts.
The modifications introduce a temporarily reduced 15 percent ad valorem duty for specific derivative products, including agricultural equipment and residential HVAC systems, while also extending coverage to products like aluminum lithographic plates and steel racks to prevent circumvention.
Furthermore, the proclamation lowers the threshold for a product to qualify as 'entirely' made of American metals from 95 percent to 85 percent to incentivize domestic sourcing.
Nominations and Withdrawal Sent to the Senate
The document formally announces a series of nominations sent by the President to the Senate for their advice and consent, primarily comprising individuals designated for ambassadorships across numerous countries, key domestic roles such as U.S. Attorneys and leadership positions within the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of State, and regulatory bodies like the International Trade Commission and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Additionally, the President formally withdrew one prior nomination for a U.S. Marshal position.