Month: March 2026

Source: United States White House

VERIFYING ELIGIBILITY IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to strengthen election integrity by ordering citizenship verification for Federal elections and modernizing and securing mail-in and absentee ballot procedures through the United States Postal Service (USPS).

• The Order directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Social Security Administration, to compile and transmit to each State a State Citizenship List of confirmed U.S. citizens who will be 18 or older at the time of the next upcoming Federal election and reside in that State.
  • The lists will be updated and transmitted no fewer than 60 days before each regularly scheduled Federal election and individuals and States will be allowed to access, update, or correct records.
• The Order directs the Postmaster General to initiate rulemaking to require all mail-in and absentee ballots transmitted by USPS to be placed in secure ballot envelopes marked as Official Election Mail with unique Intelligent Mail barcodes that facilitate tracking.
• The Order requires the USPS to transmit ballots only to individuals enrolled on a State-specific Mail-in and Absentee Participation List, ensuring that only eligible absentee or mail-in voters receive absentee or mail-in ballots.
• The Order directs the Attorney General to:
  • (1) prioritize the investigation and prosecution, under applicable Federal statutes, of election officials, individuals, and other entities that violate the law by issuing or distributing Federal ballots to ineligible voters; and
  • (2) in coordination with other relevant agencies, withhold Federal funds from noncompliant States and localities, as appropriate.

PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTIONS: President Trump is taking decisive action to prevent non-citizens from voting in Federal elections and to protect the security of mail-in and absentee ballots.

• The right to vote in Federal elections is reserved exclusively for United States citizens under the Constitution and Federal law.
• Federal statutes explicitly prohibit non-citizens from registering to vote or casting ballots in Federal elections, yet lax verification and self-certification loopholes in some States have left gaps that undermine public confidence in election outcomes.
• The Federal government has a duty to prevent violations of Federal criminal law in Federal elections and to maintain public confidence in election outcomes.
• The Federal government has existing tools – including the Social Security Administration’s records and the Department of Homeland Security’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program – that can assist in verifying voter identity and eligibility in Federal elections.

MAKING ELECTIONS SECURE AGAIN: Voters deserve elections they can trust, and that confidence is being restored thanks to President Trump. 

• President Trump is following through on his promise to secure our elections.
  • On the campaign trail in 2024, President Trump vowed: “We will secure our elections, and they will be secure once and for all.”
• Unlike the Biden Administration, which pursued its political agenda instead of fair elections, President Trump is putting the American people back in charge.
• In March 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to strengthen voting integrity in a variety of ways, including through verifying State voter-registration lists, enforcing Federal law to prohibit States from counting ballots received after Election Day, and banning foreign nationals from interfering in U.S. elections.
• President Trump has repeatedly called on Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, a straightforward, commonsense bill to ensure that only American citizens cast ballots.

Source: United States White House

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20901 et seq.), the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20501 et seq.), and the Federal Government’s constitutional obligation to guarantee a republican form of Government to every State in the Union, U.S. Const. Art. IV, Sec. 4, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1.  Purpose and Policy.  The right to vote in Federal elections is reserved exclusively for citizens of the United States under the Constitution and Federal law.  Federal statutes explicitly prohibit non-citizens from registering to vote or voting in Federal elections and impose criminal penalties for violations.  (18 U.S.C. 241; 18 U.S.C. 611; 18 U.S.C. 1015; and 52 U.S.C. 20511).  The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains records that, in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program under 42 U.S.C. 1320b-7, can assist in verifying identity and Federal election voter eligibility.  

The Federal Government has an unavoidable duty under Article II of the Constitution of the United States to enforce Federal law, which includes preventing violations of Federal criminal law and maintaining public confidence in election outcomes.  To enhance election integrity via the United States Mail, additional measures are necessary.  Secure ballot envelope identifiers provide a reliable, auditable mechanism to enforce Federal law without unduly burdening or infringing on the rights of eligible voters.  Unique ballot envelope identifiers, such as bar codes, enable confirmation that only citizens receive and cast ballots, reducing the risk of fraud and protecting the integrity of Federal elections.  

Sec. 2.  Establishment and Transmission of State Citizenship Lists and Prioritization of Investigations and Prosecutions Related to Election Fraud.  (a)  To the extent feasible and consistent with applicable law, including but not limited to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), the Secretary of Homeland Security, through the Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and in coordination with the Commissioner of SSA, shall take appropriate action to compile and transmit to the chief election official of each State a list of individuals confirmed to be United States citizens who will be above the age of 18 at the time of an upcoming Federal election and who maintain a residence in the subject State (State Citizenship List).  The State Citizenship List shall be derived from Federal citizenship and naturalization records, SSA records, SAVE data, and other relevant Federal databases.  The State Citizenship List shall be updated and transmitted to State election officials no fewer than 60 days before each regularly scheduled Federal election, or promptly upon request by a State in connection with any special Federal election.  The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish procedures to (i) allow individuals to access their individual records as well as to update or correct them in advance of elections; and (ii) enable States to routinely supplement and provide suggested modifications or amendments to the State Citizenship List transmitted thereto.  An individual’s identification on the State Citizenship List does not indicate that the individual has been properly registered to vote in the State.  State and Federal laws and State procedures must still be followed for an individual to be registered to vote.  There may be State laws, not reflected in the State Citizenship List, that preclude voter registration, or the individual may choose not to be registered.

(b)  For purposes of this order, an individual is “eligible to vote in a Federal election” if the individual is a citizen of the United States, 18 years of age or older by the date of the upcoming election, and otherwise qualified under the laws of his or her State.  The Attorney General shall prioritize the investigation and, as appropriate, the prosecution of State and local officials or any others involved in the administration of Federal elections who issue Federal ballots to individuals not eligible to vote in a Federal election, including under 18 U.S.C. 2(a), 18 U.S.C. 241, 18 U.S.C. 371, 18 U.S.C. 611(a), 18 U.S.C. 1001, 18 U.S.C. 1015, 52 U.S.C. 10307, and 52 U.S.C. 20511.  Similarly, the Attorney General shall prioritize the investigation and, as appropriate, the prosecution of individuals and public or private entities engaged in, or aiding and abetting, the printing, production, shipment, or distribution of ballots to individuals who are not eligible to vote in a Federal election. 

Sec. 3.  United States Postal Service Rulemaking on Mail-In and Absentee Ballots.  (a)  The unlawful use of the mail in connection with elections is prohibited by various Federal statutes, including 18 U.S.C. 1341, 18 U.S.C. 1708, 52 U.S.C. 10307, and 52 U.S.C. 20511.  

(b)  To ensure the faithful execution of Federal law, protect the integrity of the mail as a medium for transmitting Federal election ballots and establish uniform standards for mail-in or absentee ballot services implemented through the United States Postal Service (USPS), the Postmaster General is hereby directed to initiate a proposed rulemaking pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 401 and other applicable authority within 60 days of the date of this order.  The notice of proposed rulemaking shall include, at minimum, the following:

(i)    Proposed provisions specifying that all outbound ballot mail must be mailed in an envelope that:

(A)  is marked as Official Election Mail, including through designated markings provided by USPS for this purpose, such as the Official Election Mail logo, as necessary and appropriate;

(B)  is automation-compatible and bears a unique Intelligent Mail barcode, or successor USPS technology, that facilitates tracking and is consistent with the other requirements of this section; and

(C)  has undergone a mail envelope design review by the USPS to ensure compliance with USPS mailing standards, including barcode placement.

(ii)   Proposed provisions specifying that, no fewer than 90 days prior to a Federal election, any State may choose to notify the USPS if it intends to allow for mail-in or absentee ballots to be transmitted by the USPS.  As part of that notification, any notifying State should further indicate whether it intends to submit to the USPS, no fewer than 60 days before the election, a list of voters eligible to vote in a Federal election in such State to whom the State intends to provide a mail-in or absentee ballot to be transmitted via the USPS. 

(iii)  Proposed provisions specifying that the USPS shall not transmit mail-in or absentee ballots from any individual unless those individuals have been enrolled on a State-specific list described in subsection (b)(iv) of this section with the USPS pursuant to this subsection.

(iv)   Proposed provisions specifying that the USPS shall provide each State with a list of individuals (Mail-In and Absentee Participation List) who are enrolled with the USPS, pursuant to a process specified in the rulemaking directed by this subsection, for mail-in or absentee ballots provided by such State, along with unique ballot envelope identifiers, such as bar codes, for mail-in or absentee ballots provided to such individuals.  The preparation and transmission of each State-specific Mail-In and Absentee Participation List shall comply with the Privacy Act and all applicable use agreements. 

(v)    Proposed procedures enabling each State to routinely supplement and provide suggested modifications or amendments to the State’s Mail-In and Absentee Participation List in advance of any Federal election, consistent with applicable State law. 

(c)  The USPS shall coordinate with the USPS Office of Inspector General and the Department of Justice for investigation of suspected unlawful use of the mail involving Federal election materials. 

(d)  Any final rule pursuant to this section shall be issued no later than 120 days from the date of this order.

Sec. 4.  Implementation.  (a)  The Secretary of Homeland Security, the Commissioner of SSA, and the Postmaster General shall coordinate with the Secretary of Commerce in effectuating all relevant aspects of the implementation of this order.

(b)  The Attorney General shall enforce compliance with the applicable Federal statutes referenced herein and provide guidance to election officials, including any instrumentalities thereof; contractors; individuals involved in the administration of Federal elections; or public or private entities engaged in the printing, production, shipment, or distribution of ballots.

(c)  The Secretary of Homeland Security shall, within 90 days of the date of this order, establish the infrastructure necessary to compile, maintain, and transmit the State Citizenship List described in section 2(a) of this order, and shall designate a point of contact within DHS to receive and process requests from individuals and State election officials regarding the relevant State Citizenship List.  The Commissioner of SSA shall provide all necessary citizenship and identity data to the Secretary of Homeland Security in support of this requirement, consistent with applicable law, the Privacy Act, and all applicable use agreements.

Sec. 5.  Enforcement.  The Attorney General and the heads of executive departments and agencies (agencies) with relevant authority shall take all lawful steps to deter and address noncompliance with Federal law, including withholding Federal funds from noncompliant States and localities where such withholding is authorized by law.  Evidence of violations of existing Federal laws by State or local election officials; States or localities, including any instrumentalities thereof; contractors; individuals involved in the administration of Federal elections; or public or private entities engaged in the printing, production, shipment, or distribution of ballots may be referred to the Department of Justice for consideration of investigation or charges under 18 U.S.C. 2(a), 18 U.S.C. 241, 18 U.S.C. 371, 18 U.S.C. 611(a), 18 U.S.C. 1001, 18 U.S.C. 1015, 52 U.S.C. 10307, and 52 U.S.C. 20511.  States and localities should preserve, for a 5-year period, all records and materials — excluding ballots cast — evidencing voter participation in any Federal election (e.g., ballot envelopes, regardless of carrier).

Sec. 6.  Severability.  If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any agency, person, or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other agencies, persons, or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

Sec. 7.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)  the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

                             DONALD J. TRUMP

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    March 31, 2026.

Source: United States White House

Two years ago today, the Biden Administration desecrated Easter Sunday with a “transgender” message that elevated radical leftist ideology over faith, family, and biological truth. This Easter season, the Trump Administration is celebrating a decisive victory: the swift and unrelenting dismantling of subversive, woke policies that endangered children, eroded women’s rights, assaulted common sense, and dragged America toward moral and cultural decline.

Under President Trump, the era of government-sanctioned delusion is over:

• President Trump declared it the official policy of the U.S. Government that there are only two immutable sexes: male and female.
• President Trump banned federal funding, sponsorship, or promotion of the chemical and surgical mutilation of minors — protecting children from irreversible harm and directing agencies to defund institutions engaged in these practices.
• The Trump Administration ended the un-American indoctrination of schoolchildren by terminating federal support for “gender ideology” and “equity” curricula — enforcing parental rights and putting states on notice to remove such content or lose funding.
• President Trump ended the unfair, demeaning practice of forcing women to compete against biological men in sports — which resulted in both the NCAA and the International Olympic Committee, as well as multiple state high school athletics associations, to realign with biological reality.
• The Department of War reinstated standards requiring service members to serve according to their biological sex, banned transgender individuals from military service where it conflicts with readiness and cohesion, and prohibited taxpayer funds for sex change procedures — restoring the military’s focus on excellence, not ideology.
• The Department of Health and Human Services conducted a comprehensive review of so-called “gender-affirming care” and confirmed the lack of medical or scientific evidence supporting its irreversible effects on minors.
• The Trump Administration — including across the Department of War and the Department of Veterans Affairs — ceased all funding for sex change surgeries and related procedures.
• President Trump eliminated radical gender ideology from U.S. service academies and training programs.
• President Trump directed enforcement to protect single-sex spaces designed for women and girls — including bathrooms, locker rooms, and shelters — based on biological sex.
• The Trump Administration axed billions of dollars in grants that had been used by states to perpetuate radical gender ideology and related propaganda.
• The Trump Administration ended the practice of allowing gender self-identification on federal documents — including passports — restoring biological sex as the sole basis for official records.

These bold actions have shattered years of Democrat extremism, rescued a generation of children from irreversible harm, restored biological truth, and reclaimed America’s commitment to fairness, science, and sanity.

In the Trump Administration, truth, strength, and moral clarity are once again guiding our nation forward.

Source: United States White House

Millions of American workers, families, and small business owners are seeing the real results of President Donald J. Trump’s signature Working Families Tax Cuts law. This landmark legislation is putting more money back into the pockets of hardworking Americans, boosting refunds, increasing take-home pay, and rewarding the American way of life.

Of course, every single Democrat in Congress voted against it.

New data shows the law is delivering record-breaking benefits:

• The average tax refund is up significantly this year (nearly 11%), with average refunds exceeding $3,700 — while millions more Americans will see an immediate boost in their paychecks as they adjust withholding for the lower tax rates made permanent by the legislation.
• Nearly 20 million taxpayers have claimed the No Tax on Overtime provision, giving these essential workers — from factory employees and linemen to police officers and nurses — a powerful new break on their hard-earned extra hours.
• Over 4.6 million taxpayers have benefited from No Tax on Tips, providing meaningful relief to service workers who rely on gratuities.
• Nearly half of all filers so far have claimed at least one of the law’s landmark new tax cuts.
• Nearly 12 million small business owners are seeing an average tax reduction of nearly $7,000, while the permanent extension of the 20% Qualified Business Income deduction is delivering $4,600 in average relief to eight million entrepreneurs.
• Restoration of immediate deductibility for research and development expenses — applied retroactively — is freeing up $100 billion in prior-year deductions for tens of thousands of businesses, while full expensing allows companies to write off investments immediately, improving cash flow and fueling expansion.
• Parents of more than four million children have already claimed Trump Accounts on their returns.

The Trump Administration believes in rewarding hard work, not punishing it — and this tax season proves it.

President Trump and Republicans fought for these pro-worker, pro-family, pro-growth policies. Democrats stood in the way.

Source: United States White House

Thanks to President Donald J. Trump’s decisive leadership, chaos at airports across the nation is beginning to ease as TSA officers receive long-overdue pay amid the Democrat DHS Shutdown. Now in its 45th day, the Democrat DHS Shutdown — driven by Democrats’ refusal to fund programs critical to our national security — has led to weeks of strain on Americans across the country.

President Trump took action where Democrats would not:

• Emergency action to pay TSA officers: President Trump declared a national emergency to pay TSA officers, with their first paychecks in weeks reaching workers as early as today, already reducing absenteeism and improving staffing levels.
• ICE support at airports: To ease the burden on TSA personnel, President Trump deployed ICE officers to major airports, where they’re assisting with crowd control, logistics, entrance and exit security, and identity verification — helping maintain order and keep travelers moving safely.

Media outlets are already reporting measurable improvements:

• CNN: “Abysmal wait times at airports shrank Monday morning as tens of thousands of Transportation Security Administration workers started getting back pay after more than a month without income — apparently prompting fewer to call out.”
• Associated Press: “After weeks of chaos in U.S. airports, the Transportation Safety Administration said the first paychecks in weeks are being sent as early as Monday to its workers, giving the beleaguered aviation system a boost of optimism. Wait times at some TSA security bottlenecks, such as the airport checkpoints in Atlanta and Houston, improved significantly Monday morning.”
• NOLA.com: “Early morning travelers reported another round of long lines at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport on Monday, but, as on Sunday, lines moved faster than the ones that had snarled the airport in previous weeks.”
• WBAL-TV (Baltimore, MD): “After a congested and contentious spring break weekend, with some passengers stuck in queues for four or five hours, security wait times at BWI Marshall Airport have stabilized going into the workweek.”

While President Trump’s actions are providing critical short-term relief, the underlying crisis created by Democrats persists as tens of thousands of other DHS workers continue to go without pay. Democrats in Congress must immediately end their shutdown, pass responsible funding legislation, and stop putting political demands over the safety, security, and livelihoods of the American people.

Source: United States White House

Beginning in 1965, millions of American heroes courageously departed their homeland and arrived in the jungles of Vietnam to halt the spread of communism and defend the cause of freedom against forces of evil and oppression.  On March 29, 1973, after 8 years of excruciating battle, the last United States military forces withdrew, and our final prisoners of war were released—solidifying their place in history as gallant warriors for liberty and guardians against tyranny.  This National Vietnam War Veterans Day, we solemnly honor these patriots for their extraordinary courage, steadfast resilience, and unbreakable bond of brotherhood while enduring one of the most gruesome combat experiences in American history.

For the better part of a decade, our warriors endured suffocating heat, relentless monsoon rains, treacherous terrains, and the merciless brutality of guerilla warfare.  After 8 years of battle, 58,000 American service members had been killed, and more than 300,000 were wounded—making the Vietnam War one of the deadliest engagements that our military has ever seen.

After valiantly serving through such brutal combat, many Vietnam veterans returned home without the welcome and gratitude that they so rightly deserved and had earned.  Today, we pledge that their service—and the service of every veteran—will never be forgotten or diminished.  As President, I will always ensure that our veterans have the respect and support our country owes them.  During my first term in office, I proudly signed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act to designate March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day—enshrining a permanent, annual day of remembrance for the brave souls who fought in Vietnam.

Since returning to office last year, I have worked tirelessly to empower and uplift our veterans. My Administration has secured historic tax relief for senior citizens, including many of our eldest veterans.  We are expanding access to care, opening more than 30 new veteran health clinics to date across the country.  We are constructing the National Center for Warrior Independence, which will house up to 6,000 homeless veterans by 2028.  Meanwhile, under my leadership, the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA)’s backlog of veterans waiting for benefits has dropped more than 60 percent since last year.  The VA is processing record numbers of disability claims.  And earlier this month, the VA announced the Claim Assist Portal, a new and easier way for veterans to respond to VA claim requests—and the VA and Department of Justice signed an agreement to help our most vulnerable veterans get the care they need.

Today, we stand united in gratitude for the courageous service and love of country exemplified by the patriots who fought in the Vietnam War.  As we celebrate 250 glorious years of American independence, we reaffirm our Nation’s sacred promise to always support and honor every hero who has fought in defense of our freedom, our home, and our way of life.  You will always have my unfailing loyalty and support.

Source: United States White House

For 250 years, American education has stood as a pillar of liberty, opportunity, and civic virtue.  This Education and Sharing Day, we reaffirm the profound importance of a rigorous education—one that equips the next generation of Americans to lead with character, patriotism, and integrity.

Today, we honor the life, legacy, and vision of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of blessed memory—one of the most influential Jewish leaders in modern American history.  In 1941, Schneerson escaped Nazi persecution and fled to the United States, where he assumed leadership of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement and became known by his followers as the Lubavitcher Rebbe.  Under his stewardship, this small Hasidic community grew into a global force for faith and service that, after the Holocaust, reinvigorated Judaism worldwide and continues to touch millions of hearts across the globe.

As President, I am proudly advancing the Rebbe’s vision of intellectual achievement, righteousness, and faith.  My Administration is restoring our education system, equipping the next generation of American students to lead lives of purpose, service, and virtue.  We are bringing back common sense to our classrooms and ending left-wing indoctrination of our students—ensuring that our schools foster excellence, instill civic engagement, and respect our country’s most foundational values.  We are removing educational control from the hands of unelected bureaucrats and returning it to the States, local communities, and parents to whom it rightly belongs.  We are also working tirelessly to eradicate the scourge of anti-Semitism from our society, ensuring that every American can live out their faith free from fear, violence, and persecution.

On Education and Sharing Day, we celebrate the heroic life and enduring contributions of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, and we pledge to carry forth his legacy of fearless and moral leadership.  As we celebrate 250 years of American independence, we recommit to building a future where moral courage, faith, and devotion to freedom remain the bedrock of our Republic.  Above all, we reaffirm that America will forever be one Nation guided by the eternal wisdom and providence of the Almighty.

Source: United States White House

Today, the White House launched its powerful new official mobile app — delivering President Donald J. Trump and his Administration directly to the American people like never before. This new app offers Americans a direct line to the White House — cutting through the noise with unfiltered, real-time updates straight from the source.

With the official White House app, Americans can:

• Receive breaking news alerts on major announcements, executive actions, and other key priorities.
• Watch live streams of briefings, speeches, and historic moments as they happen.
• Dive into a dynamic media library packed with highlights.
• Stay connected on the latest policy breakthroughs.
• Send your voice and feedback directly to the Administration.

Real-time updates, live video, stunning photos, and smart push notifications — all in the palm of your hand.

From the Oval Office straight to your phone, the official White House app is the fastest, most powerful way to stay informed and engaged with the Trump Administration.

Download now on the App Store and Google Play.

Source: United States White House

SUBJECT:       Paying Our Great Transportation Security Administration Officers and Employees

As the Democrat-caused shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues well into its sixth week, America’s air travel system has reached its breaking point.  This is an unprecedented emergency situation.  Currently, more than 60,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees, including approximately 50,000 transportation security officers who perform security functions at domestic airports, are not being paid due to congressional Democrats’ reckless decision to prioritize criminal illegal aliens over American citizens and shut down DHS until their demand to prohibit enforcement of Federal immigration law is met. 

Since the shutdown began, nearly 500 transportation security officers have left their positions, and thousands more have begun to call out sick at record rates due to lack of pay.  As a result, security wait times at some airports have reached untenable lengths of three or more hours.  These increased wait times, combined with declining morale among TSA staff, unacceptably heighten the risk of security vulnerabilities within our domestic travel system and has negatively impacted countless Americans.

If Democrats in the Congress will not act to honor the service of our TSA officers, who are now performing their critical public safety responsibilities without knowing whether they will be able to buy food for their families or pay their rent, then my Administration will take action.  As President of the United States, I have determined that these circumstances constitute an emergency situation compromising the Nation’s security.

Accordingly, I hereby direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to use funds that have a reasonable and logical nexus to TSA operations to provide TSA employees with the compensation and benefits that would have accrued to them if not for the Democrat-led DHS shutdown, consistent with applicable law, including 31 U.S.C. 1301(a). 

Once regular funding for TSA has been restored, every effort should be made, as authorized by law, to adjust applicable funding accounts within DHS to ensure the continuation of DHS operations and activities consistent with planned expenditures prior to the lapse.

Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.  This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.  This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

                             DONALD J. TRUMP

Source: United States White House

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act (40 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) (FPASA), it is hereby ordered:

Section 1.  Policy and Purpose.  My Administration has made significant progress in ending racial discrimination in American society, including so-called “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) activities in which employees, applicants, or contracting parties are treated differently, separated, or singled out based on their race or ethnicity, rather than treated equally and objectively based on their merit and without regard to their immutable characteristics.  Despite this progress, some entities continue to engage in DEI activities and often attempt to conceal their efforts to do so. 

DEI activities are not only unethical and often illegal, but also cause inefficiencies, waste, and abuse within entities that engage in such practices.  Specifically, DEI activities impose artificial costs in hiring, promotion, and operations by precluding implementation of merit-based principles; creating excessive workforce turnover by elevating immutable characteristics over job performance; and jeopardizing the sort of employee collaboration and problem-solving that is essential to fostering efficient and high-quality work.  DEI activities also create unnecessary costs by reducing the pool of available labor by artificially limiting companies to hiring or promoting certain individuals, suppliers, or intermediaries based on their race or ethnicity.  These costs are inevitably passed on to the Federal Government when it contracts with companies who engage in racially discriminatory DEI activities, or who use subcontractors who do so.

It is therefore the policy of the United States to promote economy and efficiency in Federal contracting by preventing racial discrimination.

Sec. 2.  Definitions.  (a)  For the purposes of this order, “racially discriminatory DEI activities” means disparate treatment based on race or ethnicity in the recruitment, employment (e.g., hiring, promotions), contracting (e.g., vendor agreements), program participation, or allocation or deployment of an entity’s resources.

(b)  “Program participation” means membership or participation in, or access or admission to:  training, mentoring, or leadership development programs; educational opportunities; clubs; associations; or similar opportunities that are sponsored or established by the contractor or subcontractor.

Sec. 3.  Requirements for Federal Contractors.  Within 30 days of the date of this order, executive departments and agencies, including independent establishments subject to FPASA, 40 U.S.C. 102(4)(A) (agencies), shall, to the extent permitted by law, ensure that contracts and contract-like instruments, including contractors’ subcontracts and subcontractors’ lower-tier subcontracts, include the following clause:

“In connection with the performance of work under this contract, [the contractor/appropriate party (contractor)] agrees as follows:

1.  The contractor will not engage in any racially discriminatory DEI activities, as defined in section 2 of the Executive Order of March 26, 2026 (Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors);

2.  The contractor will furnish all information and reports, including providing access to books, records, and accounts, as required by the contracting agency pursuant to the Executive Order of March 26, 2026 (Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors), for purposes of ascertaining compliance with this clause;

3.  In the event of the contractor’s or a subcontractor’s noncompliance with this clause, this contract may be canceled, terminated, or suspended in whole or in part, and the contractor or subcontractor may be declared ineligible for further Government contracts;

4.  The contractor will report any subcontractor’s known or reasonably knowable conduct that may violate this clause to the contracting department or agency and take any appropriate remedial actions directed by the contracting department or agency;

5.  The contractor will inform the contracting department or agency if a subcontractor sues the contractor and the suit puts at issue, in any way, the validity of this clause; and

6.  The contractor recognizes that compliance with the requirements of this clause are material to the Government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code (False Claims Act).”.

Sec. 4.  Penalties.  (a)  The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall issue guidance to contracting agencies to ensure compliance with this order.  Consistent with any such guidance provided, contracting agencies shall:

(i)   cancel, terminate, suspend, or cause to be cancelled, terminated, or suspended, any contract or contract-like instrument, or any portion or portions thereof, for failure of the contractor or subcontractor to comply with the clause described in section 3 of this order; and

(ii)  take appropriate action to suspend and debar contractors or subcontractors for such failures to comply.

(b)  The Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in coordination with the Attorney General, the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, and the Chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, shall identify economic sectors that pose a particular risk of entities engaging in racially discriminatory DEI activities based on current or past conduct and issue additional guidance to contracting agencies regarding best practices to ensure compliance with this order within such sectors.

(c)  Within 120 days of the date of this order, each agency head shall review the agency’s implementation of section 3 of this order and report to the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy regarding its compliance with that section.  Thereafter, each agency head shall regularly review and take appropriate measures to ensure such compliance.    

(d)  The Attorney General, in consultation with relevant contracting agencies, shall:  

(i)   consider whether to bring actions under the False Claims Act against any contractors or subcontractors that violate the clause described in section 3 of this order; and

(ii)  ensure prompt review of civil actions brought by private persons under 31 U.S.C. 3730(b)(1) concerning Federal contracts or subcontracts, including by rendering a decision on whether to proceed with an action under 31 U.S.C. 3730(b)(4), to the maximum extent practicable, within the 60-day period described in 31 U.S.C. 3730(b)(2).

Sec. 5.  Regulations and Implementation.  (a)  The Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council, to the extent permitted by law, shall amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation to:  

(i)   provide for inclusion in Federal procurement, solicitations, and contracts subject to this order the clause described in section 3 of this order; and

(ii)  remove any provisions that conflict or are inconsistent with the clause described in section 3 of this order.

(b)  The Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council shall, within 60 days of the date of this order, issue deviation and interim guidance under subpart 1.4 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, regarding agency implementation of the clause described in section 3 of this order before completion of the amendments under subsection (a) of this section.

Sec. 6.  Severability.  If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

Sec. 7.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

(d)  The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of Justice.

                             

DONALD J. TRUMP

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    March 26, 2026.