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ARTICLE · 24 JUNE 2026

President Trump Signs Two Executive Orders On Quantum Computing And Accelerated Post-Quantum Cryptography Migration

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President Trump has signed two executive orders that fundamentally reshape the federal government's approach to quantum technology—one launching an ambitious national effort to build a powerful quantum computer...

United StatesGovernment, Public Sector
Rajesh De
Rajesh De
Howard W. Waltzman
Howard W. Waltzman
John Prairie
John Prairie
Adam S. Hickey
Adam S. Hickey
Stephen Lilley
Stephen Lilley
Justin Herring
Justin Herring
Jonathan H. Becker
Jonathan H. Becker
Veronica Glick
Veronica Glick
Clark S. Bakewell
Clark S. Bakewell
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On June 22, 2026, President Donald Trump signed two executive orders related to quantum technology and federal technology and cybersecurity policy: Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation (the “Quantum Innovation Order”) and a companion order, Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks (the “PQC Order”). The first launches a national effort to build a powerful quantum computer and to expand the US quantum ecosystem; the second accelerates the federal government’s migration to post-quantum cryptography (“PQC”).

Background

Quantum technologies have moved steadily from the laboratory toward commercial viability, and the federal government has treated them as a strategic priority for nearly a decade. As we have discussed in previous Legal Updates, quantum computing presents both transformational opportunities and significant risk—most notably the prospect that a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could break the public-key cryptography that secures much

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This Mayer Brown article provides information and comments on legal issues and developments of interest. The foregoing is not a comprehensive treatment of the subject matter covered and is not intended to provide legal advice. Readers should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to the matters discussed herein.

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