Allison BarnetteThe Trump administration is unveiling two executive orders seeking to unlock additional freedom for state and local governments that expand drone use for public safety. Published on June 6, the orders also impose new security frameworks to detect, track and respond to potential drone threats.
“Unleashing American Drone Dominance”
The executive order pushes for faster innovation and streamlined regulation, directing the FAA to create modern rules that make the U.S. a global leader in drone technology. It calls for procedures to enable Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations—critical for first responders and search-and-rescue—along with AI-assisted processes for waivers.
The FAA must begin drafting rules within 30 days, launch a public–private eVTOL drone delivery pilot within 90 days and roll out AI review tools within 120 days. Prior to eight months, the FAA will finalize BVLOS rules for public and private entities.
The order also requires federal support for American-made drones, offer federal guidelines to help critical infrastructure operators detect drones and authorize grant funding to equip first responders and law enforcement for counter-drone missions.
The FAA will issue a request for proposals within the next 90 days, encouraging public-private partnerships that enable eVTOL aircraft development, manufacturing and operations.
“Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty”
The second executive order prioritizes securing skies against criminal, terrorist or foreign drone misuse. It establishes a federal task force to ensure safe airspaces, mandates the FAA to draft restrictions on drone flights over sensitive areas and requires the deployment of real-time Remote ID capabilities within 60 days.
The order also enables new funding opportunities for state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) agencies to purchase drone-detection tools and encourages their integration into Joint Terrorism Task Forces—especially ahead of large-scale events like the World Cup or Olympics.
Together, the orders strike a balance between fostering safety drone use and building robust defenses against drone-based threats—delivering both innovation and oversight to local authorities.
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