*Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2019 *

**Letter to Congressional Leaders on the Annual Reporting Requirement Related to Counterterrorism Strikes Undertaken by the United States Outside Areas of Active Hostilities **

*May 28, 2019 *

*Dear Mr. Chairman: (Dear Madam Chairwoman:) *

Consistent with section 1264(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115–91) (the "Act"), I am transmitting Executive Order 13862 of March 6, 2019 (Revocation of Reporting Requirement). This Executive Order revokes an annual reporting requirement from Executive Order 13732 of July 1, 2016, related to counterterrorism strikes undertaken by the United States outside areas of active hostilities.

After closely evaluating the reporting requirement called for in Executive Order 13732 and in light of subsequent requirements specified by the Congress in the Act, I determined to revoke section 3 of Executive Order 13732, while retaining all other portions of that Executive Order. The report submitted to the Congress by the Department of Defense pursuant to section 1057 of the Act is more comprehensive in certain ways than the report Executive Order 13732 required, which was limited in geographic scope and type of United States Government operation.

The United States Government is committed to minimizing civilian casualties and complying with its obligations under the law of armed conflict. All United States efforts to minimize civilian casualties described in Executive Order 13732 continue to apply.

Sincerely,

DONALD J. TRUMP

NOTE: An original was not available for verification of the content of this letter.

*Categories:* Communications to Congress : U.S. counterterrorism strikes undertaken outside areas of active hostilities, letter on annual reporting requirement*.*

*Subjects:* Terrorism : Counterterrorism efforts.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201900393.