Executive Order 13894-Blocking Property and Suspending Entry of Certain Persons Contributing to the Situation in Syria
Issued 2019-10-14 by Donald J. Trump
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
Executive Order 13894, issued by President Donald J. Trump on October 13, 2019, is an executive action titled "Blocking Property and Suspending Entry of Certain Persons Contributing to the Situation in Syria." This order declares a national emergency and aims to address a threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy. Specifically, it blocks all property and interests in property located in the United States belonging to certain individuals and entities. It also authorizes the Secretary of State to impose sanctions on foreign persons.
This executive order affects individuals and entities determined to be
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Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
Executive Order 13894 addresses "Executive Order 13894-Blocking Property and Suspending Entry of Certain Persons Contributing to the Situation in Syria". The President's stated reasoning: "because of the ability to transfer funds or other assets instantaneously, prior notice to such persons of measures to be taken pursuant to this order would render those measures ineffectual." Executive orders are a long-established exercise of presidential power, used by every President since George Washington. They are grounded in Article II of the Constitution, which vests executive power in the President and directs them to "take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed."
Executive orders cannot create new law, contradict existing federal statutes, or exceed the President's constitutional authority. The legitimacy of any specific order depends on whether it operates within statutory authority Congress has delegated, directs the executive branch on matters within its constitutional purview, or attempts to substitute executive policy for legislative choices. Courts can and do review executive orders for conformity with the Constitution and federal law.
Official Summary
Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2019 Executive Order 13894—Blocking Property and Suspending Entry of Certain Persons Contributing to the Situation in Syria October 14, 2019 By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq .) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq .) (NEA), section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (8 U.S.C. 1182(f)), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I, Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, find that the situation in and in relation to Syria, and in particular the recent actions by the Government of Turkey to conduct a military offensive into northeast Syria, undermines the campaign to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, endangers civilians, and further threatens to undermine the peace, security, and stability in the region, and thereby constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. I hereby declare a national emergency to deal with that threat. I hereby determine and order: Section 1 . (a) All property and interests in property that are in