Executive Order 13919: Ordering the Selected Reserve of the Armed Forces to Active Duty
President: Donald J. Trump
Directed Defense to activate up to 200 Selected Reservists at one time for the Western Hemisphere counternarcotics mission, for no more than 365 consecutive days.
Status: In effect. Is Executive Order 13919 still in effect? Yes. Executive Order 13919 remains in effect. See Federal Register record.
What does Executive Order 13919 do?
EO 13919 directed the Defense Secretary to order Selected Reservists to active duty for the named Enhanced Department of Defense Counternarcotic Operation in the Western Hemisphere. The cap was 200 at one time and the maximum service period was 365 consecutive days. The mission was counternarcotics, not COVID-19 response. The Congressional Research Service lists involuntary reservist activations for the Enhanced Department of Defense Counternarcotic Operation in the Western Hemisphere in 2020 and identifies the 10 U.S.C. 12304 call-up authority for this operation. The report does not give a mission-specific headcount, the identity of reservists, or individual activation dates.
Later primary evidence reviewed September 24, 2026: The Congressional Research Service lists involuntary reservist activations for the Enhanced Department of Defense Counternarcotic Operation in the Western Hemisphere in 2020 and identifies the 10 U.S.C. 12304 call-up authority for this operation. The report does not give a mission-specific headcount, the identity of reservists, or individual activation dates.
Before and after
Before the order
The named Western Hemisphere counternarcotics operation needed military support; 10 U.S.C. 12304 permits a presidential call-up for a named operational mission.
After the order
Defense received authority and direction to call up no more than 200 Selected Reservists at one time for no longer than 365 consecutive days.
The Congressional Research Service lists involuntary reservist activations for the Enhanced Department of Defense Counternarcotic Operation in the Western Hemisphere in 2020 and identifies the 10 U.S.C. 12304 call-up authority for this operation.
The report does not give a mission-specific headcount, the identity of reservists, or individual activation dates.
Who had to do what
| Agency / office | Action | Timing / position |
|---|---|---|
| Defense Secretary | Order Selected Reserve units or members to active duty for the named counternarcotics mission | As necessary, subject to 200-person and 365-day caps |
| Defense Department | Activate reservists for the named Western Hemisphere counternarcotics operation under 10 U.S.C. 12304 | 2020 |
What happened next
EO 13919 signed; the linked Federal Register record gives its published text.
The Congressional Research Service lists involuntary reservist activations for the Enhanced Department of Defense Counternarcotic Operation in the Western Hemisphere in 2020 and identifies the 10 U.S.C. 12304 call-up authority for this operation.
Later primary evidence and its limits added to this guide.
Legal and source detail
How it works legally
10 U.S.C. 12304 authorizes a presidential reserve call-up for a named operational mission; the order is expressly subject to applicable law and appropriations. The report does not give a mission-specific headcount, the identity of reservists, or individual activation dates.
Sources by type
If a source is unavailable, first check the cited publisher or another official repository. The cited publisher remains the authority.
Primary and official sources
Orders, laws, court records and official implementation material.
How we checked this
Last checked against the sources above on September 24, 2026. How we research →