Statement on Signing the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act
Issued 2017-08-02 by Donald J. Trump
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
President Trump signed a law called the "Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act" in August 2017, which created new sanctions against Iran, North Korea, and Russia. In his statement, the President expressed support for punishing what he called "rogue regimes" in Tehran and Pyongyang, and stated his support for sending a message that America won't tolerate interference in democratic processes or allow Russian destabilization efforts against American allies.
However, Trump also raised concerns about the law, saying it limits the executive branch's authority to negotiate with foreign countries and could disadvantage American companies and hurt European allies' interests. He stated that his administration worked with Congress to improve the bill's language, including giving the Treasury Department more flexibility in granting business licenses and allowing agencies to delay certain sanctions that might harm American and allied companies. Despite these improvements, he described the bill as "seriously flawed" because it restricts presidential flexibility in foreign negotiations.
The President signed the bill anyway, stating he did so "for the sake of national unity" and because it represented the will of the American people. The constitutional assessment notes that the legal weight of such signing statements—where presidents express objections to parts of laws they're signing—has been debated, with critics arguing they effectively create an unconstitutional line-item veto while defenders say they're a legitimate way for presidents to identify constitutional concerns.
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Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
This signing statement ("Statement on Signing the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act") was issued alongside a bill the President signed into law. The President's stated concerns: "The new language also ensures our agencies can delay sanctions on the intelligence and defense sectors, because those sanctions could negatively affect American companies and those of our allies." Signing statements allow presidents to express constitutional or policy objections to specific provisions of legislation they have just signed. Their legal weight and constitutional propriety have been contested since the practice became common in the 1980s.
Critics — including the American Bar Association — argue that using signing statements to announce an intent to not enforce portions of a law effectively creates a line-item veto, which the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional in Clinton v. City of New York (1998). Defenders argue presidents have a duty to identify constitutional concerns and that signing statements are a legitimate form of executive interpretation. The constitutional propriety depends on whether this specific statement announces non-enforcement or merely records the President's views.
Official Summary
Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2017 Statement on Signing the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act August 2, 2017 Today I signed into law the "Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act," which enacts new sanctions on Iran, North Korea, and Russia. I favor tough measures to punish and deter bad behavior by the rogue regimes in Tehran and Pyongyang. I also support making clear that America will not tolerate interference in our democratic process and that we will side with our allies and friends against Russian subversion and destabilization. That is why, since taking office, I have enacted tough new sanctions on Iran and North Korea and shored up existing sanctions on Russia. Since this bill was first introduced, I have expressed my concerns to Congress about the many ways it improperly encroaches on Executive power, disadvantages American companies, and hurts the interests of our European allies. My administration has attempted to work with Congress to make this bill better. We have made progress and improved the language to give the Treasury Department greater flexibility in granting routine licenses to American businesses, people, and companies. The improved language also reflects feedback from our European allies, who have been steadfast partn