President Donald Trump signed two executive orders Monday aimed at strengthening U.S. leadership in quantum computing while accelerating the federal government's transition to post-quantum cryptography.
Speaking before the orders were signed, White House science advisor Michael Kratsios said quantum technology remains a national security and economic priority.
“President Trump has long recognized the importance of quantum as an economic and national security imperative for the nation,” Kratsios said. “In his first term, he signed the National Quantum Initiative Act into law, doubled the federal R&D budget for quantum research, and his administration launched five national quantum research institutes. Now, in a second term, we aren't letting our foot off the gas.”
The first order, Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation, directs federal agencies to pursue the development of what the administration calls a "scientifically relevant" quantum computer by 2028. The order also calls on the Departments of Commerce, Energy, and Defense, along with NASA, to develop plans for deploying quantum sensors and networking technologies within five years.
During the briefing, a senior White House official said the Department of Energy will define the technical specifications for the system and that the goal is to deploy it at a national laboratory or other DOE facility. Officials described the effort as an intermediate step toward larger, more powerful quantum systems.
The orders also call for expanded workforce development programs, stronger domestic supply chains, increased coordination with allies, and broader efforts to protect quantum research from cyber and counterintelligence threats. Officials said those efforts will include expanding the FBI's Quantum Information Science and Technology Counterintelligence Protection Team.
“These policies will drive transformational growth in existing and entirely new industries, and manufacturing, drug discovery, energy, agriculture, and more,” Kratsios said. “Quantum breakthroughs mean innovation, economic growth, national security that will benefit the American people for decades to come.”
