ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13618Executive OrderObama · D Quiet signal

Executive Order 13618

Assignment of National Security and Emergency Preparedness Communications Functions

This executive order establishes a comprehensive framework for national security and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) communications, creating an interagency Executive Committee co-chaired by Defense and Homeland Security to coordinate survivable, resilient federal communications under all circumstances. It assigns specific responsibilities across multiple departments, revokes the prior Executive Order 12472 (1984), and mandates a 60-day organizational plan from Homeland Security.

Federal Register Open PDF 77 FR 40779

Impact dates

  1. DHS organizational and management structure plan for NS/EP communications functions due to President

Key directives

  • Establish NS/EP Communications Executive Committee with Assistant Secretary-level representatives from State, Defense, Justice, Commerce, DHS, DNI, GSA, FCC
  • Co-Chairs to be designees of Secretary of Homeland Security and Secretary of Defense
  • Secretary of Homeland Security to establish Joint Program Office for Executive Committee support
  • Secretary of Defense to oversee NS/EP communications for President, Vice President, senior national leadership, Nuclear Command and Control, Continuity of Government, and inter-branch constitutional government communications
  • Secretary of Homeland Security to oversee non-military NS/EP communications, serve as Federal lead for prioritized restoration of communications infrastructure, and maintain joint industry-Government center
  • Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and submit detailed organizational plan within 60 days
  • Director of OSTP to issue annual memorandum on national priorities for NS/EP communications R&D
  • All agencies to submit annual reports on NS/EP communications activities to Executive Committee
  • Executive Committee to provide quarterly updates to AP for HSC and Director of OSTP
  • Revoke Executive Order 12472 of April 3, 1984

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Revocation of Executive Order 12472 (1984)
  • Amendment to Executive Order 12382
  • Establishment of NS/EP Communications Executive Committee
  • Establishment of Joint Program Office under DHS

Near term (90d)

  • DHS organizational plan due (60 days)
  • First quarterly updates from Executive Committee
  • Initial OSTP annual memorandum on priorities

Long term

  • Ongoing NS/EP communications system development and sustainment
  • Annual strategic agendas and reports
  • Continuous coordination of prioritized communications restoration

Risks & tensions

  • Potential jurisdictional tension between Defense (military/national leadership) and Homeland Security (civilian/infrastructure) priorities, with explicit conflict resolution mechanism via PPD-1 process
  • Vague 'to the extent consistent with law' and 'subject to availability of appropriations' language may limit implementation
  • Quarterly updates and annual reports are ongoing obligations without enforcement mechanism specified
  • Industry input provision (Sec. 3.3(g)) is advisory; unclear binding authority over private sector
  • Spectrum prioritization authorities (Sec. 5.3(f)) during crisis raise civil liberties considerations not addressed in text
Executive Order 13618: Assignment of National Security and Emergency Preparedness Communications Functions · Executive Orders