Fact Sheets
Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Declares a National Emergency to Secure America’s Bulk-Power System
The White House
August 26, 2026
SECURING AMERICA’S BULK-POWER SYSTEM: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to protect the security, integrity, and reliability of bulk-power system electric equipment used in the United States, particularly from interference by foreign actors.
The Order declares a national emergency under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the National Emergencies Act with respect to the unusual and extraordinary foreign threat to the United States involving bulk-power systems produced abroad that may present national security vulnerabilities.
To deal with the threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States, the Order, among other things, generally prohibits certain foreign-produced bulk-power system electric equipment, including associated critical software and digital capabilities that could pose cybersecurity or operational risks, from being purchased or installed in the United States, or appropriately conditions such purchases and installations to address those risks. The Order focuses on transactions involving foreign nationals that pose an undue risk of sabotage, unauthorized access, or other disruption, an undue risk of catastrophic effects on the security or resiliency of U.S. critical infrastructure, or an unacceptable risk to the security of the U.S.
The Order does not apply to facilities used for local distribution of electric energy.
The Order further permits the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with other members of the Cabinet, to impose conditions on the continued use and operation of such equipment as needed to address the concerns identified in the Order, bearing in mind effects on reliability, safety, availability of replacements, and continuity of service.
The Order directs the Secretary of Energy to publish rules operationalizing and implementing the Order as needed.
The Order further directs the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with other members of the Cabinet, to identify bulk-power system electric equipment that may pose risks identified in the Order and prepare recommendations for the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs to address the risks posed by that equipment.
PREVENTING FOREIGN ACTORS FROM CRIPPLING CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE: President Trump is taking steps to eliminate supply chain vulnerabilities while ensuring abundant, reliable electricity.
The rapid growth of advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and defense production has increased America’s dependence on certain foreign components necessary for the provision of abundant, reliable electricity.
Continued reliance on foreign sources of bulk-power system electric equipment creates a supply chain vulnerability to the U.S.
Current minimal restrictions on acquisition or operation of foreign-produced bulk-power system electric equipment augment the ability of some foreign entities to create and exploit vulnerabilities in such equipment.
Certain foreign actors are increasingly creating and exploiting vulnerabilities in the United States bulk-power system, which provides the electricity that supports our national defense, vital emergency services, critical infrastructure, and the economy.
SECURING AMERICA’S CRITICAL SUPPLY CHAINS: President Trump has long recognized that America’s national security and economic strength depend on rebuilding key sectors of our industrial base and their supply chains.
In his first term, President Trump revolutionized international trade by using Section 232 to address decades of short-sighted, globalist trade policies that hollowed out our domestic steel and aluminum industries.
Since returning to office, President Trump has continued taking actions under Section 232 to protect and strengthen domestic manufacturing critical to our national and economic security, including imposing and strengthening tariffs on key goods such as steel, aluminum, copper, polysilicon, trucks, automobiles, timber, lumber, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals.
In April 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to strengthen and secure the United States electric grid. This resulted in 17,000 megawatts (MW) — enough electricity to supply power to 12.75 million homes — of perfectly good power plants from being forced offline due to weaponization of state and Federal environmental regulations, reducing costs for consumers and enhancing grid reliability.
In June 2026, President Trump signed an Executive Order to advance American AI innovation to strengthen America’s cybersecurity, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure the United States remains the global leader in AI innovation.
In July 2026, President Trump signed an Executive Order to secure America’s defense supply chains for the cutting-edge equipment that allows the U.S. to dominate the modern battlefield, particularly, the critical materials and components necessary to manufacture that equipment.
In August 2026, President Trump signed a Proclamation to address the national security threat posed by imports of drones and their components, including by strengthening America’s drone industry and supply chain.
