TagExecutive Orders(16)

This May 2026 ESA policy briefing provides an update on federal permitting policy, noting that all three branches of government — legislative, executive, and judicial — are actively shaping permitting decisions. A key highlight is that Trump's second term has seen a dramatically higher number of first-year executive orders than any previous administration in recent history, signaling an aggressive pace of executive action on regulatory and permitting matters. While the document focuses broadly on federal permitting trends, its content is relevant to infrastructure and environmental review processes that can affect airport-related noise and land-use decisions.

The FAA has proposed updates to its Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant assurances to reflect new requirements from the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and recent executive orders. Key changes include removing older equity- and climate-related executive orders, adding new ones focused on free speech and ending DEI programs, and introducing a new assurance requiring airports to continue offering leaded aviation fuel (100LL) until a safe unleaded replacement is widely available. Public comments on these changes were accepted through May 9, 2025.

This Congressional Research Service report explains how President Trump's 2025 executive orders revoked earlier Clinton and Biden administration environmental justice policies and directed federal agencies, including the EPA, to close environmental justice offices and end related programs. The report outlines which specific EPA programs and activities may be affected, such as grant programs, screening tools, and interagency councils. It also notes that while the executive orders change agency priorities, they do not override existing federal pollution control laws that Congress has established.