Key Facts

• US President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on June 23, 2026, to push for the development of a quantum computer and to focus on creating cryptography that can resist quantum attacks, with the goal of staying ahead of other countries in quantum computing.
• The orders aim to take a "cohesive, whole-of-government approach" to accelerate the deployment and commercialization of quantum computing and "protect sensitive technologies and work with allies to ensure adversaries cannot use QIST to undermine national security."
• Trump's orders state that within 180 days, relevant agencies must update the National Quantum Strategy to support commercialization and industry partnerships, and identify implications of increasing scale and performance of commercial quantum computers.
• The orders also establish the Quantum Computer for Application Development and Discovery Science (QC-ADDS), a national effort to pursue the development of a quantum computer at a scale intended to "initiate the era of quantum-enabled scientific discovery."
• The second executive order aims to secure the US against quantum-assisted cryptographic attacks by directing the Office of Management and Budget and the National Cyber Director to lead an accelerated, nationwide migration to post-quantum cryptography, ensuring the nation's data stays secure as quantum technology evolves.