FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 30, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, President Donald J. Trump will sign a sweeping Executive Order that formally ends the United States’ national emergency with respect to Syria, directs the revocation of all remaining U.S. sanctions, relaxes and waives key export controls, and outlines accountability mechanisms targeting members of the former Assad regime. The order also reaffirms the U.S. commitment to combating terrorism and dismantling remnants of ISIS while opening a new chapter for U.S.-Syria relations.
SETF’s Advocacy Director, Veronica Zanetta-Brandoni, stated, “We are proud of this amazing achievement and grateful for Ambassador Thomas Barrack, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and President Donald Trump for giving Syria a chance at democracy. It is now the responsibility of the new Syrian government to ensure safety and security, the transition to democracy, and economic prosperity for all Syrians.”
Former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice and SETF’s Board Member Ambassador Stephen J. Rapp also stated, “We are pleased to see commitment to accountability for the crimes committed by the Assad regime and by the terrorists of ISIS. This means helping the Syrians gather and analyze the documents and excavate the mass graves to determine the fate of more than 100,000 missing persons, including Americans Austin Tice and Dr. Majd Kamalmaz, and to lay the groundwork for trials of the major perpetrators.”
This important Executive Order is a result of the hard work of U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack, other remarkable administration officials, and SETF, which is proud to have played a vital role in advocating for this historic and ideal step. SETF is now prioritizing working with Congress for the complete repeal of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019. It is the moral obligation of Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate to rescind the Caesar Act immediately.
For inquiries, please contact:
Maria Cure, Director of Communications
[email protected] www.setf.ngo
About the Syrian Emergency Task Force
The Syrian Emergency Task Force (SETF) is a Syrian-American 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. Dedicated to advancing Syria’s future after the fall of the Assad regime, SETF supports a democratic transition, leads humanitarian efforts, and works to secure justice and accountability for war crimes committed by the regime and its allies. Today, SETF stands as the most notable American organization working on Syria, as evidenced by the impact it has made both on the ground in Syria and the U.S. SETF serves as a resource for education by bringing the voices of the Syrian people to the international stage. From testimonies at the UN Security Council to local grassroots community fundraisers, the team brings together like-minded people who are committed to rebuilding a peaceful, democratic Syria after enduring years of brutality under a repressive dictatorship.
