Executive Actions

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A new executive order seeks to streamline funding for and construction of data center projects by reducing regulatory red tape.

By Nikki Buffa, Aron Potash, Tal Carmeli, and Shawna Strecker

On July 23, 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order titled “Accelerating Federal Permitting of Data Center Infrastructure” (the Order). The Order aims to “facilitate the rapid and efficient buildout” of data centers and associated infrastructure such as high‑voltage transmission lines and other equipment by “easing…

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The administration has signaled a potential softening of cyber regulation for domestic entities, with increasing focus on national security priorities and preparing for the future.

By Antony (Tony) Kim and Michael H. Rubin

The Trump administration’s focus on reshaping the cyber regulatory environment continues with executive order 14306, “Sustaining Select Efforts to Strengthen the Nation’s Cybersecurity and Amending Executive Order 13694 and Executive Order 14144” (EO 14306), which was released on June 6, 2025, and issues sweeping amendments…

U.S. Department of Labor Building

The Department of Labor has taken two recent actions that indicate where the approach to retirement investment policy may go under the new administration.

By Betty M. Huber, Benjamin Rosemergy, Aryeh Zuber, and Austin J. Pierce

Policy on the appropriate management of retirement funds has not been spared the tide of changes in the political landscape. While the language of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) sets the standard for plan fiduciaries to act…

Capsules in packaging process

President Trump’s executive orders and legislative proposals from Congress leverage FDA to help lower drug prices, address anti-competitive practices, and accelerate generic drug approvals.

By J. Benneville (Ben) Haas and William A. McConagha

President Trump signed two executive orders in the last few months aimed at reducing prescription drug costs and addressing drug pricing strategies. On April 15, 2025, he signed an executive order titled “Lowering Drug Prices by Once Again Putting Americans First” in an effort to deliver on…

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The executive order shifts policy on enforcement of criminal regulatory offenses, steering away from criminal enforcement of strict liability offenses in regulatory matters.

By Jennifer L. Bragg, Nicholas McQuaid, and Terra Reynolds

On May 9, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order titled “Fighting Overcriminalization in Federal Regulations” (the Order), aimed at reducing criminal enforcement of federal regulatory offenses in general and strict liability offenses, in particular. The Order also includes several requirements for agencies to increase transparency…

Facade Flags Justice Department Building Washington DC

The Department of Justice has established a new Civil Rights Fraud Initiative, which will leverage the False Claims Act to investigate and pursue claims against recipients of federal funds who “knowingly violate civil rights laws.”

By Danielle Conley, Terra Reynolds, Anne W. Robinson, Jude Volek, and Savannah Burgoyne

In a memorandum dated May 19, 2025, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the establishment of a new Civil Rights Fraud Initiative (the Initiative) at the Department of…

The White House in Washington DC, USA, South front Portico.Workplace of the president of the United States.

New federal legislation aims to combat the publication of non-consensual deepfakes and mandates notice-and-removal procedures for covered platforms.    

By Sy Damle, Andy Gass, Ghaith Mahmood, and Michael H. Rubin

On May 19, 2025, President Trump signed into law the “Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act” (the Take It Down Act or the Act). The Act, which received widespread bipartisan support, prohibits any person from knowingly publishing “intimate visual depictions”…

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The OCC is restoring its former practices and policies under the Bank Merger Act to reinstate expedited merger reviews and streamlined business combination applications.

By Arthur S. Long, Pia Naib, Connor Jobes, and Deric Behar

On May 8, 2025, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued an interim final rule (Interim Final Rule) to rescind a 2024 final rule (2024 Final Rule) that amended the OCC’s bank merger application review procedures. The OCC simultaneously…

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Recent developments include leadership changes, workforce reductions, and policy shifts at HHS and FDA, reshaping agency operations under President Trump’s administration.

By Nathan A. Beaton, Jennifer L. Bragg, William A. McConagha, and Trevor Thompson

Since his inauguration, President Trump has focused on reshaping federal agencies through a series of executive orders intended to reduce the size of the federal workforce and dramatically alter the landscape in which agencies operate. In turn, Department of Health and Human Services…

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The federal banking agencies continue to open the channels for regulated entities to engage in digital asset activities.

By Arthur S. Long, Parag Patel, Pia Naib, and Deric Behar

On May 7, 2025, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) published Interpretive Letter 1184 (a response to an inquiry from a regulated entity) affirming that national banks and federal savings associations (collectively, banks) may provide and outsource cryptocurrency custody and execution services on behalf of…