Unlocking Presidential Power: The Ins and Outs of Executive Orders Explained!

What is an Executive Order?

In simplistic terms that we all can grasp: An executive order is a rule made by the President of the United States to help run the government the way they want:

•  It’s not the same as a mandate (which tells people what to do) 

• or a proclamation (which makes an announcement)

How Does It Work?

1. Drafting: Government officials write it.

2. Review: The Office of Management and Budget checks it.

3. Legal Check: The Attorney General makes sure it's legal.

4. Approval: The President gives the final okay.

Can They Be Changed or Stopped?

Yes! Executive orders can be:

• Changed or canceled by future presidents.

• Challenged by Congress, which can pass laws against them.

• Reviewed by courts, which can block them if they are not allowed by law.

Do They Need Congress’s Approval?

No, executive orders do not need Congress to approve them first. The President can put them into action right away.

Are There Safety Measures?

Yes, there are some safety rules for executive orders:

1. Constitutional Limits: They must follow the Constitution

2. Court Review: Courts can stop orders that are not legal

3. Congressional Action: Congress can pass laws to counteract them

4. Public Scrutiny: Most orders are published so everyone can see them…(Remember our app resources to write your representative with the stroke of the computer ..and that VOTING thing?) Turns out there is a really good reason. 

 The Most Controversial Orders (at the time of issue):

• Richard Nixon 

  • Notable: Prohibiting discrimination in federal civilian workforce

• Gerald Ford 

  • Notable: Executive Order: outlawing political assassinations

• Jimmy Carter 

  • Notable: Established FEMA (Federal Emergency Management - (Federal funding for national disasters) 

• George W. Bush 

  • Notable: Established Guantanamo Bay detention center 

• Barack Obama 

  • Notable: Attempted closing Guantanamo Bay

• Donald Trump:

  •  Notable: On his first day in office in 2025, Trump signed a record-breaking number of executive orders

    • Notable:

      • “Muslim ban" on immigration from certain countries

      • Keeping Guantanamo Bay open indefinitely

    • Notable (on Day 1) so far in 2025 included:

      • Pardoning Jan. 6 rioters

      • Attempting to end birthright citizenship

      • Withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement (More on the creation of the agreement later!)

      • Declaring a "national energy emergency"

      • Targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs

President	Number of executive orders
Donald J. Trump	7 (as of writing) 160	2025-2029
Joseph R. Biden, Jr.	167 220	2021-2025
Donald J. Trump	220 220	2017–2021
Barack Obama	277 277	2009–2017
George W. Bush	291 291	2001–2009
Bill Clinton	364 364	1993–2001
George H.W. Bush	166	1989–1993
Ronald Reagan	381 381	1981–1989
Jimmy Carter	320 320	1977–1981
Gerald R. Ford	169 169	1974–1977
Richard Nixon	346 346	1969–1974