Trump Administration Issues Three Key Executive Orders on January 23rd, 2025

Kingston, ON – January 24, 2025

As expected, the Trump administration has wasted no time enacting executive orders. On January 23, President Donald Trump signed three executive orders: Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology, Declassification of Records Concerning the Assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence. Here is what these executive orders mean and the impacts they will have:

Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology

This order outlines the administration’s strategy to promote the growth and regulation of digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies, while safeguarding economic freedom.

Key Aspects of the Executive Order:

1. Protection of Blockchain Activities: The order safeguards individuals’ and businesses’ rights to lawfully access and utilize public blockchain networks. This includes activities like developing software, participating in mining and transaction validation, conducting peer-to-peer transactions without unlawful censorship, and maintaining personal custody of digital assets.
2. Promotion of Dollar-Backed Stablecoins: To uphold the dominance of the U.S. dollar, the order supports the development and global expansion of legitimate, dollar-backed stablecoins—digital currencies pegged to the value of the U.S. dollar.
3. Ensuring Fair Access to Banking Services: The order seeks to guarantee fair and open access to banking services for all law-abiding citizens and private entities, addressing concerns about the challenges cryptocurrency-related businesses face in obtaining traditional banking services.
4. Providing Regulatory Clarity: The administration aims to establish clear, technology-neutral regulations that consider emerging technologies. This approach is intended to foster innovation in digital assets and distributed ledger technologies.
5. Prohibition of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs): The order prohibits the creation, issuance, or use of CBDCs within the United States, citing concerns about threats to financial stability, individual privacy, and national sovereignty.

Additionally, the executive order revokes previous directives, such as Executive Order 14067 from March 9, 2022, and the Department of the Treasury’s “Framework for International Engagement on Digital Assets” issued on July 7, 2022. It establishes the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets, tasked with recommending regulatory and legislative proposals within 180 days.

In summary, this order represents a significant shift in U.S. policy toward digital financial technologies, aiming to bolster innovation and maintain the country’s leadership in the digital asset sector while addressing potential risks associated with CBDCs.

Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence

This move seeks to secure the United States’ position as a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI). The executive order focuses on removing regulatory and institutional barriers that may hinder AI development and adoption, while addressing key economic and security challenges.

Key Features of the Executive Order:

1. Streamlining Regulations: Federal agencies are directed to identify and eliminate outdated or unnecessary regulations that stifle AI innovation. Agencies must adopt technology-neutral policies to support both startups and established companies.
2. Investment in Research and Development: The order allocates resources to federal research initiatives, fostering breakthroughs in machine learning, robotics, and natural language processing.
3. Strengthening National Security: Safeguards are put in place to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive technologies from foreign adversaries, enhancing cybersecurity and defense capabilities.
4. Workforce Development: Investments will be made in educational programs and workforce training initiatives to prepare American workers for the AI-driven economy.
5. Ethical AI Development: The order emphasizes the development of AI systems that prioritize fairness, accountability, and transparency.

Implications for the U.S. and Global Competition

This executive order positions the U.S. to compete more effectively with global rivals, particularly China, in the AI race. By fostering an environment conducive to innovation, the administration seeks to solidify the U.S. as a hub for AI talent and investment while shaping international norms and standards for AI development.

Declassification of Records Concerning the Assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In a landmark decision, President Trump signed an executive order directing the declassification of all remaining government records related to these high-profile assassinations. The order seeks to provide full transparency regarding events that have captivated public interest for decades.

What the Order Entails:

1. Immediate Declassification: All assassination-related records must be made public, except in cases where redactions are explicitly justified for national security or personal privacy.
2. Independent Oversight: A panel of independent experts will review any proposed redactions to ensure compliance with the order.
3. Digital Accessibility: Newly declassified records will be digitized and made available online for researchers, historians, and the public.

Implications for Public Understanding

The release could provide critical insights into controversial aspects of the assassinations, including potential conspiracies, the role of Lee Harvey Oswald, and intelligence failures. This represents a significant opportunity to address lingering questions and foster greater public trust in government transparency.

Looking Ahead

These executive orders mark a significant step in the Trump administration’s policy agenda, with implications for technology, security, and historical accountability. As these initiatives are implemented, their long-term impacts on the U.S. and global landscape remain to be seen. Whether in the realm of digital finance, artificial intelligence, or historical records, the administration has signaled its commitment to innovation, transparency, and leadership.