Month: April 2026

Source: United States White House

Tonight, I join millions of Americans gathering across the country in congratulating the Michigan Wolverines and the UConn Huskies as they compete in the 2026 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) College Basketball National Championship.

For nearly 90 years, this tournament has captivated our Nation in an epic display of athleticism, determination, and triumph.  Every March, 68 college teams take to the court for an exhilarating three-week, single-elimination competition that excites and galvanizes our Nation.  The tournament includes colleges and universities big and small from every corner of our great country—each carrying its own traditions and representing the unmatched excellence of the American spirit.

To reach the court for the final showdown, teams must survive a grueling regular season, and 6 rounds of play in one of the most storied and iconic traditions in American sports—the gauntlet known as “March Madness.”  This prestigious springtime competition is beloved by millions of fans who fill out brackets and watch the frenzy unfold in an unpredictable tournament historically defined by powerhouse performances, heart-pounding victories, underdog stories, and inevitable surprises.  This year was no exception—and when the final buzzer sounds tonight, one team will take their place in collegiate sports history.

These talented student-athletes have overcome every challenge to vie for the championship trophy.  This milestone is achieved through years of sacrifice, training, discipline, individual effort, teamwork, and camaraderie.  It is shared with loving and supportive families, loyal fans, and dedicated coaches committed to developing leaders who will achieve greatness and glory both on and off the court.

Melania and I congratulate these incredible players and coaches for reaching the College Basketball National Championship.  May the best team win!

Source: United States White House

This Easter Sunday, as Christians around the world rejoice in the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ, President Donald J. Trump stands as a fierce defender of the Christian faith. From his first day back in office, President Trump has made protecting people of faith a cornerstone of his Administration. Under his leadership, the U.S. is once again a beacon of religious liberty — honoring the biblical values and heritage that built our nation.

President Trump is protecting Christians at home:

• President Trump established the historic White House Faith Office — the first-ever office in the West Wing dedicated exclusively to advancing faith.
• President Trump established a new Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias to investigate and dismantle the systematic discrimination against Christians that occurred under the previous administration.
• President Trump pardoned Christians and pro-life activists who were unjustly persecuted for praying and peacefully living out their faith.
• 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 for the chemical and surgical mutilation of minors, protecting children from irreversible harm.
• The Department of Justice swiftly arrested dozens of Radical Left rioters who attacked a worship service at a Minnesota church — sending a clear message that violence against places of worship will not be tolerated.
• President Trump signed the first-ever national school choice program, empowering parents to choose faith-based schools for their children and ending the monopoly of government-run education.
• The Trump Administration ended the barbaric use of fetal tissue from aborted babies in federally funded research at the National Institutes of Health.
• The Trump Administration eliminated Biden-era mandates forcing insurance companies to cover abortions.
• The Trump Administration strengthened conscience protections for healthcare providers who object to abortion, sterilization, or assisted suicide, and launched multiple investigations into facilities that violated those rights.
• President Trump established the Religious Liberty Commission to safeguard religious freedom for all faiths, with special attention to protecting Christianity from government overreach.
• President Trump ordered the repeal of all regulations conflicting with Supreme Court precedents on religious liberty.
• The Trump Administration directed federal agencies to support and protect religious expression in the workplace.
• The Department of Veterans Affairs rescinded speech codes that censored military chaplains’ sermons.
• The Small Business Administration eliminated a Biden-era ban on disaster relief for faith-based organizations.
• President Trump placed Faith Directors or Faith Liaisons in every federal department and agency.
• President Trump reformed the accreditation process, which was repeatedly weaponized against faith-based institutions.
• President Trump issued an executive order combating the debanking of Americans based on their political and religious beliefs, which had been targeted at conservatives and people of faith.
• President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts Act increased the Child Tax Credit, expanded employer childcare tax credits, made the paid family leave tax credit permanent, and established Trump Accounts for the next generation of Americans.
• The Department of Justice restricted the misuse of the FACE Act against pro-life advocates, dismissing several cases aimed at persecuting pro-life Americans.
• President Trump mandated enforcement of the Hyde Amendment to end the use of federal taxpayer dollars to fund or promote abortion.
• President Trump reinforced America’s “longstanding legacy of prayer, faith, and trust in God.” 

President Trump is protecting Christians abroad:

• President Trump reinstated and expanded the Mexico City Policy, ensuring American taxpayer dollars no longer subsidize abortion, coercive sterilization, or radical gender ideology overseas.
• President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the pro-abortion, anti-faith, anti-freedom World Health Organization.
• The State Department renewed its membership in the Geneva Consensus Declaration, which champions women’s health, strengthens the natural family, and rejects any international right to abortion.
• The Trump Administration launched a probe into the Spanish government’s euthanasia of 25-year-old Noelia Castillo.
• President Trump ordered targeted strikes against jihadist Islamic State terrorists in Nigeria who have terrorized Christian communities for years.
• The Trump Administration delivered critical humanitarian assistance to persecuted Christian communities in Southern Syria and beyond, standing firmly with believers under threat.
• In response to anti-Christian violence around the globe, the Department of State restricted visas for individuals involved in violations of religious freedom.

On this sacred Easter Sunday, we are reminded that faith is not a private matter to be silenced by government — but a foundational strength of our Republic. Through bold leadership and unwavering commitment, the Trump Administration is restoring religious liberty, protecting the innocent, and ensuring that America will always remain one nation under God.

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, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1.  Purpose and Policy.  America’s system of college sports has long provided scholarships and life-changing educational, athletic, and leadership opportunities to millions of America’s future leaders and formed an important part of our national fabric.  In July, I signed an Executive Order to protect college sports from endless lawsuits and destabilizing financial obligations that could jeopardize women’s and Olympic sports, but it has become clear that more comprehensive executive action is required before college sports are lostforever. 

College football is the primary revenue generator for university athletic departments, including revenue to support women’s and Olympic sports, and is used by many universities to attract students, donations, and goodwill as millions of Americans gather with families and friends to watch each Saturday.  These factors place enormous pressure on many universities to be competitive in football.  The same dynamic exists for basketball to a lesser degree.  Amid this pressure, the rules governing pay-for-play, eligibility, and other aspects of college athletics have been substantially loosened through a number of judicial rulings.  Additional rules that could institute order and consistency in these systems have been nullified by some State legislatures that are incentivized to advantage their own State’s universities in the competitive market for student-athletes by minimizing barriers to recruitment.  This chaotic state of affairs has undermined competition, reduced opportunities for student-athletes, and jeopardized support for the current range of college athletics, particularly women’s and Olympic sports.  Fair competition cannot occur without a consistent set of rules concerning pay-for-play or player eligibility that cannot be endlessly relitigated in court.

The convergence of enormous pressure to win in football and basketball and the loosening, both by litigation and by State legislation, of consistent rules or limits concerning eligibility, transfers, and pay-for-play schemes has created an out-of-control financial arms race in these sports that is driving universities into debt, threatening to siphon resources from other sports, and damaging student-athletes’ educational and graduation opportunities.  The athletics-related financial threats these crucial universities face are substantial: Already, one major athletic program closed fiscal year 2025 with $535 million in athletics-related debt, and another has $437 million in such debt, while others face enormous annual athletics-related deficits.  These financial perils will inevitably siphon funds from universities’ educational and research purposes, which could impact their capabilities and responsibilities as Federal contractors and grantees.  

Absent a comprehensive national solution, therefore, the escalating financial demands to succeed in football and basketball combined with the significantly loosened rules governing eligibility, transfers, and pay-for-play schemes may force curtailment of women’s and Olympics sports, and may even jeopardize the overall financial well-being of universities with which the Federal Government has important financial relationships.  Universities are important defense research contractors for the Department of War, important medical research contractors for the Department of Health and Human Services, and important scientific research contractors for the National Science Foundation. The health of the university system is integral to the Federal Government’s basic functioning.  

Further, without a national solution to protect the future of competition and opportunity in all college sports, it is possible that the largest college football programs will be forced to seek stability through a negotiated solution that may result in the withdrawal of financial and other resources from women’s and Olympic sports.  

The Congress is strongly encouraged to expeditiously pass legislation that satisfactorily addresses these issues.  But further delay is not an option given what is at stake — the 500,000 annual educational, athletic, and leadership-development opportunities that provide almost $4 billion in scholarships.  This executive action will preserve college sports for future generations. 

Sec. 2. Effective Date.  Sections 3 through 6 of this order shall be effective on August 1, 2026.  Agencies shall immediately begin work to ensure that appropriate regulatory or policymaking measures will be in place by the effective date so that the requirements of the operative sections can be implemented as soon after the effective date as possible. 

Sec. 3. Definitions.  For the purposes of this order:

(a) “Improper financial activities” means the following actions taken by a federally-funded higher education institution, including its officers, agents, affiliates, or representatives:

(i)   intentionally devising or participating in a fraudulent name, image, and likeness (NIL) scheme;

(ii)  knowingly accepting contributions, financial or otherwise, from persons who intentionally devise or participate in a fraudulent NIL scheme; 

(iii) using Federal funds for NIL or revenue-sharing payments or for any type of payment or benefit to a coach, assistant coach, general manager, recruiter, or other person engaged in coaching or managing an athletic team; and

(iv)  tortiously interfering with a contract between a student-athlete and another federally-funded higher education institution, including a scholarship agreement;  

(b) “Fraudulent NIL scheme” means a scheme to pay for goods or services, including NIL services, above the actual fair market value of those goods or services in connection with a student-athlete’s participation in intercollegiate athletics, including through the use of collectives or similar entities.  The term does not include: 

(i)  revenue sharing between a higher education institution and a student-athlete that is consistent with interstate intercollegiate athletic governing body rules; or

(ii) fair market value compensation provided for the NIL rights of a student-athlete by a third-party not affiliated with the athletic department of a higher education institution for a valid business purpose that is related to the promotion or endorsement of goods or services provided to the general public for profit and that is not tied to participation in the athletics program of a particular higher education institution, at rates and terms commensurate with compensation paid to individuals with NIL rights of comparable value who are not student-athletes at the applicable higher education institution;

(c) “Higher education institution” has the meaning given the term “institution of higher education” in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001), provided that this term only includes an institution that reports (as required under section 485(g) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(g))) having generated not less than $20,000,000 in total revenue (as adjusted on July 1 each year by the percentage increase, if any, during the preceding 12-month period, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) derived by the institution from the institution’s intercollegiate athletics activities during the preceding academic year, as determined in accordance with paragraph (1)(I) of section 485(g) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(g)); and

(d) “Interstate intercollegiate athletic governing body” means the entity that sets common rules, standards, procedures, or guidelines for the administration and regulation of varsity sports teams and intercollegiate athletic competitions, but that is not an intercollegiate athletic conference, provided that the governing body may include persons affiliated with an intercollegiate athletic conference.

Sec. 4. Protecting Women’s and Olympic Sports and Preserving Higher Education Financial Responsibility.  (a)(i) Agency heads that contract with or provide grants to higher education institutions, shall, as appropriate, evaluate violations of the applicable, lawful, and operative interstate intercollegiate athletic governing body rules in effect as of August 1, 2026, concerning the following, to determine whether they are a cause so serious or compelling in nature to affect the present responsibility of the recipient:

(A) eligibility limits;

(B) transfers between institutions; 

(C) revenue-sharing permitted between higher education institutions and student-athletes; and

(D) permissible and improper financial activities.

(ii) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in consultation with the Administrator of General Services, shall issue guidance to contracting and grantmaking agencies to ensure compliance with this order and to reinforce the suspension and debarment policy regarding violations of the rules described in subsection 4(a)(i) of this section.

(b) The interstate intercollegiate athletic governing bodyfor higher education institutions should, in consultation with student-athletes and in its discretion, update or clarify itsrules before August 1, 2026, as appropriate, to adequately protect opportunities for scholarships and collegiate athletic competition in women’s and Olympic sports and ensure the financial stability of higher education institutions, including by establishing the following, to the extent permitted by lawand applicable court orders:

(i)   age-based eligibility limits to promote fairness, consistency, safety, and opportunities for student-athletes under which:

(A) participation in college athletics is permitted for no more than a five-year period, with limited exceptions for military service, missionary service, and other periods of absence from participation that are in the public interest; and

(B) professional athletes cannot return to college athletics;

(ii)   transfer-related rules that:

(A) provide for the ability to transfer one timeduring the five-year period with immediate playing eligibility, and one additional such time if the student-athlete obtains a four-year degree; 

(B) prioritize the academic development, success, graduation, and long-term well-being of student-athletes; and

(C) ensure that the transfer window does not incentivize interference with athletic seasons or the academic year, or otherwise undermine the integrity of participation and competition in college athletics;

(iii) medical care for student-athletes for intercollegiate-athletics-related injuries during their period of enrollment and for a reasonable period of time thereafter;

(iv)  the implementation of revenue-sharing between higher education institutions and student-athletes in a manner that preserves or expands scholarships and collegiate athletic opportunities in women’s and Olympic sports, including through provisions toprevent revenue-sharing from being allocated in a manner that results in a reduction in scholarships and opportunities in women’s and Olympic sports;

(v)   a prohibition on the use of Federal funds by higher education institutions for NIL or revenue-sharing payments or coaching or athletic compensation, in accordance with any applicable Federal law and Federal contract terms;

(vi)  a prohibition on improper financial activitiesregarding student-athletes, including collectives orother entities or methods used to facilitate third-party, pay-for-play payments; and

(vii) a national student-athlete agent registry and reasonable protections for student-athletes from excessive agent commissions.

​(c)  To aid contracting and grantmaking agencies’compliance with subsection 4(a) of this section, the Administrator of General Services shall propose, consistent with law, an appropriate, regular collection of information to evaluate compliance with the rules covered by subsection (a)(i)(A)-(D) of this section for completion by appropriate higher education institution officials.

(d) The Secretary of Education shall consider takingappropriate action, including through rulemaking where necessary, to require regular reporting by higher education institutions that includes:

(i)  the total number of roster spots by varsity team, as of the day of the first scheduled contest for the team; and

(ii) the total amount of money spent on athletically related student aid or other payments, separately for men’s and women’s teams overall.

(e) The Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission shall take appropriate action to enforce 15 U.S.C. 45 and 15 U.S.C. 7801–7807 with respect to violations by student-athlete agents and related individuals or entities.

Sec. 5. Legal Actions to Invalidate Certain State Laws.  (a) The Attorney General shall take appropriate measures to further meritorious actions to invalidate State laws that conflict with interstate intercollegiate athletic governing body rules and:

(i)   discriminate against out-of-state commerce or unduly burden or impede interstate commerce in violation of Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the Constitution of the United States; 

(ii)  impair a contractual relationship in violation of Article I, Section 10, Clause 1 of the Constitution of the United States; or

(iii) are otherwise invalid under Federal law.

Sec. 6.  Consultation.  Relevant White House components and executive departments and agencies are encouraged to, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, consider input from appropriate leaders in collegiate athletics and administration and other experts regarding effective implementation of this order.

Sec. 7. 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. 8.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)   the authority granted by law to an executivedepartment 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.

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

​​​​​​DONALD J. TRUMP

THE WHITE HOUSE,

   April 3, 2026.

Source: United States White House

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY

THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET

SUBJECT:       Liberating the Department of Homeland Security From the Democrat-Caused Shutdown

Nearly 7 weeks have elapsed since Democrats shut down the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prevent the brave men and women who work for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection from performing their duties to secure our country’s borders and enforce our immigration laws.  More than 35,000 employees, including Coast Guard civilians, Federal Emergency Management Agency employees helping to prepare the Nation for disaster response, and cybersecurity professionals at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, have gone without a paycheck for nearly 2 months because of congressional Democrats.  As a result, thousands of DHS employees who are performing their critical public safety responsibilities are struggling to make ends meet and provide for their families.  This callous treatment of DHS employees must end in order to ensure that America is not susceptible to security threats and maintains readiness to respond to emergencies. 

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 the functions of DHS to provide each and every employee of DHS 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 DHS 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

PROTECTING THE FUTURE OF COLLEGE SPORTS BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to preserve the unique American institution of college athletics by restoring order, fairness, and stability.

• The Order directs Federal agencies to bolster the effectiveness of key college-sports rules on transferring, eligibility, and pay-for-play by evaluating whether violations of such rules render a university unfit for Federal grants and contracts.
• Simultaneously, the Order calls on the appropriate governing body to update these rules to restore financial stability and protect the future of all college sports, including women’s and Olympic sports by:
  • establishing clear, consistent, and fair eligibility limits, including a five-year participation window;
  • setting structured transfer rules for academic and athletic continuity;
  • ensuring medical care for student-athletes;
  • implementing revenue-sharing in a manner that protects and expands opportunities in women’s and Olympic sports;
  • banning improper financial arrangements including pay-for-play agreements facilitated by collectives and similar entities; and
  • establishing protections against unscrupulous agent conduct.
• The Order directs the Administrator of General Services and the Department of Education to increase data collection across college athletics to ensure compliance.
• The Order directs the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General to take appropriate enforcement actions.
• The Order also calls on Congress to quickly pass legislation to address these critical issues.

RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLEGE SPORTS AND NEED FOR ACTION AND STABILITY: President Trump recognizes the critical role of American college sports in fostering leadership, education, and community pride, and that decisive action is needed to address urgent threats to its future.

• College sports is a uniquely American institution that produces great athletes and leaders, fuels our Olympic dominance, and forms an indelible part of American culture and communities.
  • College athletics support over 500,000 student-athletes with nearly $4 billion in scholarships annually, helping forge America’s future leaders, driving local economies, and shaping national culture.
  • The collegiate athletic system produced 75 percent of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team and has yielded countless business and civic leaders.
• But the future of college sports—and especially women’s and Olympic sports—is under serious threat, as lawsuits have weakened the rules and created a financial arms race that threatens to put many university athletic programs out of business.
• College sports cannot function without clear, agreed-upon rules concerning pay-for-play and player eligibility that can’t be endlessly challenged in court, as is the case now.
• The resulting chaos is creating financial pressures that threaten to drain resources from all sports except football and basketball, and from many universities altogether.
• While Congress is strongly encouraged to expeditiously pass legislation, further delay is not an option given what is at stake and the turmoil and instability currently facing universities across the nation.

PROMOTING A LEGACY OF ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE: This Executive Order builds on President Trump’s longstanding commitment to showcasing American greatness through sports and recognition of its value in forging American leaders and culture.

• President Trump previously signed an Executive Order providing a clear vision for protecting student-athletes and collegiate athletic scholarships and opportunities, including in Olympic and non-revenue programs, and the unique American institution of college sports.
• President Trump recently held a roundtable at the White House to address the future of college sports, where he pledged to sign today’s Executive Order.
• President Trump signed an Executive Order to keep men out of women’s sports, ensuring equal opportunities for women in sports.
• President Trump played a pivotal role in securing the United States’ bid for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the United States’ bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• President Trump has attended countless sporting events and hosted numerous teams at the White House.

Source: United States White House

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“The March jobs report blew out expectations with strong construction job growth and a surge in manufacturing job creation as trillions of dollars in investments begin to materialize. America remains on a solid economic trajectory thanks to President Trump’s proven agenda of tax cuts, deregulation, tariffs, and energy dominance. Americans can rest assured that after the short-term disruptions of Operation Epic Fury are behind us, America’s economic resurgence is set to only accelerate.”
— White House Spokesman Kush Desai

Here’s what you need to know about the March jobs report:

• It crushed expectations — again. The economy added 178,000 new jobs in March — nearly triple the number economists had forecasted — delivering yet another powerful validation of President Trump’s pro-growth agenda and demonstrating the resilience of the American labor market under his leadership.

• Manufacturing is roaring back under President Trump. The sector added 15,000 new jobs added in March, capping off the first quarter of 2026 with the first positive manufacturing job growth in three years — a decisive reversal from the Biden-era decline. In fact, every major indicator now points toward sustained expansion as President Trump’s tariffs and pro-manufacturing policies take hold.
• Construction is surging. Another 26,000 construction jobs were added in March, propelled by strong gains in specialty trades and residential building.
• Job growth is accelerating in 2026. The economy has added an average of 68,000 jobs per month so far this year — a clear improvement over 2025 and significantly outperforming economists’ expectations.
• Wages are rising for American workers. Private sector weekly earnings have climbed 3.9% over the past year, delivering real gains for American workers.
• We are right-sizing government and unleashing the private sector. The federal workforce has been reduced to its smallest level since 1966 — representing the lowest share of the total labor force in over a century — as the Trump Administration fuels even stronger private sector job growth.
• Prime-age workers are re-entering the labor force. Women aged 25-54 hit a record-high labor force participation rate in March, while prime-age male participation remains near its highest level since 2009.

Under President Trump’s leadership, America’s economy is once again proving its unmatched strength and potential. With pro-growth policies firmly in place, the best days for American workers, manufacturers, and families are still ahead.

Source: United States White House

This Easter Sunday, the First Lady and I join with Christians all across our Nation and around the world in rejoicing in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, whose triumph over sin and victory over death secured the promise of redemption and the hope of eternal life for all who believe in Him as Lord and Savior.

Sunday, we proclaim with joy that Christ has risen, a new creation has been ushered in, and evil and death have been conquered forever through the unmatched power of God’s sacrificial love.

When Jesus Christ rose from His earthly tomb on Easter morning, He restored our grace, washed our sins, and reconciled humanity with God—fulfilling the ancient prophecy that “He was pierced for our sins, crushed for our iniquity … by His wounds we were healed.”  His suffering won our victory, His love brings us life, and His Resurrection is our everlasting hope.

As we rejoice in this Easter season, we are reminded that the life of Jesus Christ and the truths of the Gospel have inspired our way of life and our national identity for 250 years.  From the Christian patriots who won and secured our liberty on the battlefield and every generation since, the love of Christ has unfailingly guided our Nation through calm waters and dark storms.

We pray that this celebration of the Resurrection strengthens our faith, enriches our lives, and reawakens our souls.  We offer prayers of adoration and thanksgiving for the countless blessings God has bestowed upon our Nation.  We acknowledge that, through Christ’s redeeming sacrifice, in the words of Holy Scripture, “Death is swallowed up in victory.”  Above all, we echo with tremendous joy those sacred words that have given life, hope, and purpose to Christians for thousands of years:  He is risen.

Happy Easter!

Source: United States White House

Today, Melania and I join with Catholics and freedom-loving people around the world in honoring the immortal legacy of His Holiness Pope Saint John Paul II—a man of profound faith, a lion of liberty, and one of the fiercest defenders of human dignity to ever live.

As a young man during the barbaric Nazi occupation of Poland, the future saint formed an unbreakable conscience grounded in holiness, virtue, and moral courage.  Later as a priest, a bishop, and the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, he worked tirelessly as a witness to hope in proclaiming the timeless truths of the Christian faith to all the nations of the Earth.

In the face of atheistic socialism, religious persecution, anti-Semitism, and other threats to human dignity and freedom, Pope John Paul II sparked a moral and spiritual revolution that led to the defeat of Soviet communism and the liberation of the Captive Nations of Europe.  He transformed relations between the Christian and Jewish communities—expressing the Catholic Church’s profound and enduring solidarity with the Jewish people.  And he boldly reaffirmed Western civilization’s Christian identity and religious foundations, stirring countless hearts toward the good, the true, and the beautiful.

In 1979—just 8 months after ascending to the papacy—Pope John Paul II triumphantly returned to his homeland of Poland, then under communist rule, and proclaimed in his first sermon that no government has the right to separate the people from God.  As he said during his legendary sermon, “Man in incapable of understanding himself fully without Christ. He cannot understand who he is, nor what his true dignity is, nor what his vocation is, nor what his final end is. He cannot understand any of this without Christ.” In response, the people sang “We Want God.” 

Today, our Nation is similarly yearning for God, not in response to a tyrannical government but to a culture that has been hollowed out for far too long.  I applaud the millions of young Americans leading this great reawakening in faith and know that Pope Saint John Paul II’s witness will continue to inspire millions more to find God once again.

As we remember Pope John Paul II’s towering life and legacy—especially during this 250th year of American independence—we are reminded that, in order to be a great Nation, we must never abandon our faith in God, love of country, and devotion to liberty.  During this Holy Week and throughout the Easter season, I encourage every American to keep the memory of Pope Saint John Paul II alive for generations to come.

Source: United States White House

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“One year ago today, President Trump threw away the illusions of ‘free trade’ to finally put Americans and America First. The results since Liberation Day have been astonishing: over 20 new trade deals, trillions in manufacturing investments, lower drug prices, and lower goods trade deficits. And this is just the beginning of the President’s transformation of global trade: as these investment and trade deals continue taking effect, and more get signed, Americans can count on the best being yet to come.”
— White House spokesman Kush Desai

As America marks one full year since Liberation Day, the U.S. economy stands more resilient, more competitive, and more secure than it did just 12 months ago. President Trump’s tariffs have protected American workers, generated substantial new revenue, encouraged fairer trade deals, and accelerated the return of manufacturing to U.S. soil.
 
The results of President Trump’s America First trade policy are unmistakable:

• Narrowing Trade Deficits: The U.S. goods trade deficit has fallen 24% from April 2025 through February 2026 compared to the same period a year earlier, and has decreased every single month on a year-over-year basis since Liberation Day.
• Rebalancing Global Trade: U.S. bilateral trade balances in goods have improved more than 63% of our trading partners since Liberation Day.
  • The U.S. goods trade deficit with China has gone down by 32% over the past year, and 46% from April 2025 through January 2026. For the first time since 2000, China is no longer the trading partner with which the United States has its largest trade deficit.
  • The U.S. goods trade deficit with the European Union has gone down by nearly 40% from April 2025 through January 2026, compared to a year earlier.
  • The U.S. has even started to run a goods surplus with Switzerland for the first time since 2012.
• Foreigners Producers Are Bearing the Cost: After Liberation Day, according to a Bank of England study, the average price of exports to the U.S. fell, but the average price of exports to other countries did not. This is one indication that foreigners are ultimately paying for a share of the tariffs by lowering export prices.
• Securing Fair, America First Trade Deals: The Trump Administration has secured more than 20 new trade agreements with major partners including the EU, Japan, India, Vietnam, and Argentina.
  • These deals cover over half of global GDP, tear down non-tariff barriers, and open new markets for U.S. agriculture, energy, and industrial goods, with partners like Japan and the EU aligning with U.S. auto standards.
• Driving a Resurgence in American Manufacturing: Trillions in private and foreign investments are fueling a historic reshoring of American industry, bring jobs, production, and supply chains back home.
  • Investments span sectors and companies across the economy — from Apple to Toyota to Sharpie to Micron to Pfizer.
  • Shipments of core capital goods—a leading indicator of new industrial capacity—reached new record highs in 2025. Capital goods imports as a share of all goods imports are at an all-time record high.
• Manufacturing Activity is Rebounding: In January 2026, a leading indicator based on surveys of U.S. manufacturers signaled that factory activity expanded for the first time in over two years. This trend has continued in February and March.  These are the highest readings since August 2022.
  • The industrial production index is at its highest level since 2019, and has been on an upward trend since President Trump was elected in November 2024.
  • In 2025, the United States surpassed Japan in crude steel production for the first time since 1999, becoming the world’s third-largest steel producer behind China and India.
  • Manufacturing productivity registered its biggest annual increase in 2025 in nearly two decades.
• American Workers Are Benefiting: Private sector workers have seen strong real wage gains of more than $1,400 in just one year, decisively beating inflation. Blue-collar workers have benefited the most, with manufacturing wages up $1,800, construction wages up $3,000, and mining and logging wages up $1,900.
  • In just one year under President Trump, blue-collar workers have made up all of the wages they lost under Biden.
  • Under Biden, workers’ real wages couldn’t keep up with inflation – causing American workers to lose nearly $3,000 in purchasing power.

These strong results prove that President Trump’s America First trade policies are making our country wealthy, strong, and respected once again. As more agreements take effect and investment continues to surge, one thing is clear: America’s best days are still ahead.

Source: United States White House

class=”has-text-align-center”>BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

1.  The Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) recently transmitted to me a report on his investigation into the effects of imports of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients on the national security of the United States under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1862 (section 232).  Based on the facts considered in that investigation, and taking into account the close relation of the economic welfare of the Nation to our national security and other relevant factors, see 19 U.S.C. 1862(d), the Secretary found and advised me of his opinion that pharmaceuticals and associated active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), including key starting materials, are being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States.

2.  The Secretary found that the present quantities and circumstances of imports of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients threaten to impair the national security and economy.  Despite being the world leader in research and development (R&D) for most innovative pharmaceuticals (those that are typically patented and branded, as compared to generic pharmaceuticals or pharmaceuticals approved pursuant to section 505(j) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. 355(j)), the United States is heavily reliant on imports, threatening to limit United States access to life-saving medications in the event of global supply chain disruption due to geopolitical or economic disruption.  According to the Food and Drug Administration, as of 2025, approximately 53 percent of patented pharmaceutical products distributed domestically are produced outside the country.  The degree of import reliance is significant at the API level with only 15 percent of patented APIs by volume domestically produced for the United States market.  

3.  The Secretary found that patented pharmaceuticals and associated pharmaceutical ingredients are essential to the United States’ military and civilian healthcare.  A self-sufficient domestic manufacturing and industrial base for pharmaceutical products is vital for the ability to support national defense requirements and maintain public health security during a national emergency or wartime.  Patented pharmaceuticals are pivotal for treating cancer, rare diseases, autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases, and other critical health challenges.  The Secretary further found that foreign government intervention has undermined the competitiveness of the United States patented pharmaceutical industry.  This intervention has led to further dependence on foreign production of patented pharmaceuticals that have fragile supply chains.

4.  In light of these findings, the Secretary recommended actions to adjust imports of patented pharmaceuticals and associated pharmaceutical ingredients, including continuing to negotiate onshoring agreements related to Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) pharmaceutical pricing agreements; imposing significant tariffs on pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients, so that such imports will not threaten to impair the national security of the United States; and granting preferential treatment to those companies that commit to onshore production of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients.

5.  After considering the Secretary’s report, the factors in section 232(d) (19 U.S.C. 1862(d)), and other relevant factors and information, among other things, I concur with the Secretary’s finding that pharmaceuticals and associated pharmaceutical ingredients are being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States.  In my judgment, and in light of the Secretary’s report, the factors in section 232(d) (19 U.S.C. 1862(d)), and other relevant factors and information, I have also determined that it is necessary and appropriate to adopt a plan of action, as described below, to adjust such imports of pharmaceuticals and associated pharmaceutical ingredients so that such imports will not threaten to impair the national security of the United States.

6.  I have decided to direct the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to pursue negotiations of agreements or continue any current negotiations of agreements, such as agreements contemplated in section 232(c)(3)(A)(i) (19 U.S.C. 1862(c)(3)(A)(i)), to address the threatened impairment of the national security with respect to imported patented pharmaceuticals and associated pharmaceutical ingredients, with any party the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services deem appropriate, and to update me on the progress of such negotiations within 90 days of the date of this proclamation.  Under current circumstances and in light of future requirements of the United States, this action is necessary and appropriate to address the threatened impairment of the national security.

7.  I have determined that it is necessary and appropriate to impose a 100 percent ad valorem duty rate on the import of patented pharmaceuticals and associated pharmaceutical ingredients, as identified in Annex I to this proclamation, and except as otherwise provided in this proclamation.  Pharmaceutical products and ingredients that are subject to the section 232 zero tariff at this time are listed in Annex IV to this proclamation.

8.  I have determined that it is necessary and appropriate that the ad valorem duty rate be 20 percent on imports of patented pharmaceuticals and associated pharmaceutical ingredients produced by companies that have plans, approved by the Secretary, to onshore production of such pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients.  The aforementioned 20 percent rate shall increase to 100 percent 4 years after the date of this proclamation.

9.  I have further determined that it is necessary to implement pharmaceutical-related commitments in existing trade deals with the European Union, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein jointly, as well as a future pharmaceutical-related deal with the United Kingdom (on which the United States and the United Kingdom have reached an agreement in principle as of December 1, 2025).  These deals further United States economic and national security interests.

10.  I further find that it is necessary and appropriate to impose no tariffs on imports of patented pharmaceuticals and associated pharmaceutical ingredients produced by companies that have fully executed agreements or are negotiating agreements with the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding MFN pricing and onshoring of production and R&D of patented pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients.  Such agreements further United States economic and national security interests by making pharmaceuticals more accessible and affordable in the United States and by strengthening the domestic manufacturing base.

11.  I have further determined not to adjust imports of generic pharmaceuticals and their associated ingredients, including biosimilar products, at this time.  This determination includes purchases of generic pharmaceuticals and ingredients for the Strategic API Reserve.  I find that such products should not be subject to section 232 tariffs at this time.

12.  In my judgment, based on current circumstances as well as the future needs of the United States, the actions in this proclamation are necessary and appropriate to address the threatened impairment of the national security posed by imports of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients.

13.  Section 232 authorizes the President to take action to adjust the imports of an article and its derivatives that are being imported into the United States in such quantities or under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security.  Section 232 includes the authority to adopt and carry out a plan of action, with adjustments over time, to address the national security threat.  This plan of action may include negotiations of agreements along with other actions to adjust imports to address the national security threat, including tariffs.  If action under section 232 includes the negotiation of an agreement, such as one contemplated in section 232(c)(3)(A)(i) (19 U.S.C. 1862(c)(3)(A)(i)), the President may also take other actions he deems necessary to adjust imports to eliminate the threat that the imported article poses to the national security, including if such an agreement is not entered into within 180 days of the date of this proclamation, is not being carried out, or is ineffective.  See 19 U.S.C. 1862(c)(3)(A).

14.  Section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483) (section 604), authorizes the President to embody in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) the substance of statutes affecting import treatment, and actions thereunder, including the removal, modification, continuance, or imposition of any rate of duty or other import restriction.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 232, 19 U.S.C. 1862; section 604, 19 U.S.C. 2483; and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, do hereby proclaim as follows:

(1)  The Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and any senior official they deem appropriate, shall pursue or continue pursuing negotiations of agreements, as contemplated in section 232(c)(3)(A)(i) (19 U.S.C. 1862(c)(3)(A)(i)), to address the threatened impairment of the national security with respect to imported pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients.

(2)  I hereby ratify, and delegate to the Secretary the authority necessary to enter into, the company-specific tariff agreements listed in Annex II to this proclamation that the Secretary entered into prior to this proclamation.  I also hereby delegate to the Secretary the authority to enter into and implement similar agreements in the future, as referenced in clause (1) of this proclamation.  The Secretary is authorized to monitor and enforce these agreements as he deems appropriate, consistent with clause (6) of this proclamation and applicable law.

(3)(a)  Imports of patented pharmaceuticals and associated pharmaceutical ingredients, as listed in Annex I to this proclamation, will be subject to a 100 percent ad valorem duty rate.

(b)  The ad valorem duty rate for patented pharmaceuticals and associated pharmaceutical ingredients, as listed in Annex I to this proclamation, shall be 20 percent for products of companies that have, or that the Secretary assesses are likely soon to have (e.g., based on agreements in principle), onshoring plans approved by the Secretary.  The aforementioned 20 percent rate shall increase to 100 percent on April 2, 2030.

(c)  The ad valorem duty rate for patented pharmaceuticals and associated pharmaceutical ingredients, as listed in Annex I to this proclamation, shall be 15 percent for products of Japan, the European Union, the Republic of Korea, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein jointly, unless a lower rate applies under clause (3) of this proclamation.  The tariff rate on patented pharmaceuticals and associated pharmaceutical ingredients for products of the United Kingdom shall be 10 percent and then reduce to zero to the extent required by any future agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom on pharmaceutical pricing.  The Secretary shall publish a Federal Register notice should the rate for the United Kingdom be reduced to zero.

(d)  The ad valorem tariff rate shall be zero for drugs and associated ingredients, where all approved indications are designated as orphan pursuant to the Orphan Drug Act, 21 U.S.C. 360aa et seq., and its implementing regulations; nuclear medicines; plasma derived therapies; fertility treatments; cell and gene therapies; antibody drug conjugates; medical countermeasures related to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats; or other specialty pharmaceutical products to be identified by the Secretary, as well as pharmaceutical products for animal health, provided that the Secretary, in consultation with the United States Trade Representative (Trade Representative) and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, determines that:  (1) they are products of a jurisdiction that has a current or forthcoming trade and security framework agreement as referenced in Executive Order 14346 of September 5, 2025 (Modifying the Scope of Reciprocal Tariffs and Establishing Procedures for Implementing Trade and Security Agreements), or (2) they meet an urgent United States health need.  The Secretary shall publish a Federal Register notice whenever he makes such a determination.

(e)  For companies that are eligible for the tariff treatment outlined in clause (3)(b) of this proclamation, and that have entered into MFN pharmaceutical pricing agreements with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the applicable ad valorem tariff rate for pharmaceuticals and associated pharmaceutical ingredients shall be zero until January 20, 2029.  The Secretary shall apply this zero tariff rate to companies that he determines are likely to be eligible soon (e.g., because they have agreements in principle with the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services).  For avoidance of doubt, this zero tariff rate shall also apply per the terms of the agreements listed in Annex II to this proclamation.

(f)  The Secretary may increase the tariff rates referenced in clause (2) of this proclamation, and in clauses (3)(b) and (3)(e) of this proclamation, to address companies’ failure to fulfill commitments under the relevant plans and agreements.  The Secretary, in consultation with the Trade Representative, may increase the tariff rates referenced in clause (3)(c) of this proclamation to address foreign jurisdictions’ failure to fulfill commitments under agreements with the United States.  The Secretary shall publish a Federal Register notice when tariff rates are increased.

(4)  The tariffs and tariff treatment imposed by this proclamation shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on July 31, 2026, for the companies listed in Annex III to this proclamation and September 29, 2026, for other companies and shall continue in effect, unless such actions are expressly reduced, modified, or terminated. 

(5)  Generic pharmaceuticals and their associated ingredients shall not be subject to tariffs pursuant to section 232 at this time.  Within 1 year of the date of this proclamation, the Secretary shall, in consultation with any senior executive branch officials the Secretary deems appropriate, inform the President of any circumstances that, in the Secretary’s opinion, might indicate the need to take action to adjust the imports of generic pharmaceuticals and their associated ingredients.

(6)  The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall establish criteria for onshoring plans referenced in clause (3)(b) of this proclamation, to be published in the Federal Register.  All onshoring plans shall be subject to approval, monitoring, and enforcement by the Secretary.  The Secretary shall require companies with qualifying onshoring plans to submit periodic reports to the Secretary regarding progress towards fulfilling onshoring milestones.  The Secretary may require that such reports be audited by an external auditing firm.  In cases where the executive branch assesses that a company engaged in fraud or deliberately misled the United States Government with respect to onshoring commitments, the Secretary may reimpose tariffs discussed in this proclamation both prospectively and retroactively on imports from relevant companies, and he may impose other tariffs and penalties to the extent consistent with applicable law.

(7)  If a product is subject to tariffs under this proclamation and Column 1 of the HTSUS (Column 1 Duty Rate), then the sum of the additional section 232 tariff imposed pursuant to this proclamation and the applicable Column 1 Duty Rate shall be equal to the applicable rate listed in clause (3) of this proclamation, unless the Column 1 Duty Rate is greater than the applicable rate listed in clause (3) of this proclamation, in which case only the Column 1 Duty Rate shall apply.  This clause does not apply to the tariff treatment for products of the United Kingdom described in clause (3)(c) of this proclamation.

(8)  If a product is subject to more than one rate of duty under this proclamation, then the lowest applicable rate shall apply.

(9)  The Secretary, in consultation with the Chair of the United States International Trade Commission and the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), shall determine whether any modifications to the HTSUS or other administrative measures are necessary to effectuate or implement this proclamation or any actions taken pursuant to this proclamation.  Any changes shall be published in a notice in the Federal Register.

(10)  Drawback shall be available with respect to the duties imposed pursuant to this proclamation.

(11)  Imports of United States-origin pharmaceutical products shall not be subject to the tariffs imposed by this proclamation at this time.

(12)  To the extent permitted by applicable law, CBP may take any necessary or appropriate measure to administer the tariffs imposed or altered by this proclamation.  Importers shall provide to CBP information necessary to carry out this proclamation.

(13)  Any product described in clause (4) of this proclamation, except those eligible for admission as “domestic status” as described in 19 CFR 146.43, that is subject to a duty imposed by this proclamation and that is admitted into a United States foreign trade zone on or after the effective date of this proclamation, must be admitted as “privileged foreign status” as described in 19 CFR 146.41 and will be subject upon entry for consumption to any ad valorem rates of duty related to the classification under the applicable HTSUS subheading.

(14)  The Secretary shall continue to monitor imports of patented and generic pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients.  The Secretary also shall, from time to time, in consultation with any senior executive branch officials the Secretary deems appropriate, review the status of such imports with respect to the national security.  The Secretary shall inform me of any circumstances that, in the Secretary’s opinion, might indicate the need for further action by the President under section 232.  The Secretary shall also inform me of any circumstance that, in the Secretary’s opinion, might indicate that the tariff imposed in this proclamation is no longer necessary.

(15)  To the extent consistent with applicable law and the purpose of this proclamation, the Secretary, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Homeland Security are directed and authorized to take all actions that are appropriate to implement and effectuate this proclamation and any actions contemplated by this proclamation, including, consistent with applicable law, the issuance of regulations, rules, guidance, and procedures and the temporary suspension or amendment of regulations, within their respective jurisdictions, and to employ all powers granted to me under section 232.

(16)  The Secretary, the Trade Representative, and the Secretary of Homeland Security may, consistent with applicable law, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, redelegate any of these functions within their respective executive departments or agencies.

(17)  Any provision of previous proclamations and Executive Orders that is inconsistent with this proclamation is superseded to the extent of such inconsistency.  If any provision of this proclamation or the application of any provision of this proclamation to any individual or circumstance is held to be invalid, the remainder of this proclamation and the application of its provisions to any other individual or circumstance shall not be affected.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.

                              DONALD J. TRUMP

ANNEXES I, II, III & IV