What is an executive order? How they differ from presidential proclamations, memorandums
President Donald Trump issued a deluge of executive orders and directives on Monday evening, just hours after taking office.
Using a Sharpie pen, Trump signed a hefty stack of executive orders, many that he had long vowed to implement, like declaring a state of emergency at the southern border and pardoning around 1,500 people charged in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
"I'll revoke nearly 80 destructive and radical executive actions of the previous administration," Trump told a crowd in Washington at a rally at the Capitol One Arena as he prepared to sign some orders at a desk on the stage.
Other orders Trump signed on Monday included designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, sending troops to the border. In other orders, he pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization. Yet another aimed to halt the enforcement of a ban on TikTok for 75 days.
He also revoked nearly 80 executive orders issued by former President Biden, covering efforts to stem climate change, lower prescription drug prices, and protect federal lands from oil drilling.
These orders are often confused with proclamations or political memorandums that the president may also utilize as he wishes. Here's what to know about executive orders, the fastest tool at a president's disposal.
What is an executive order?
An executive order is a signed directive by a U.S. president on how they want the federal government to operate.
Using the force of the law, these orders range from federal employee holidays to major policy plans. A president may use an executive order to establish a new commission or an administration-wide policy.
What happens after an executive order is signed?
After a president signs an executive order, the White House sends the document to the Office of the Federal Register, the executive branch's journal that publishes each order.
However, there are a few legal barriers as an executive order may be rescinded or amended by either an act by Congress, a Supreme Court order or even a separate executive order.
What is a proclamation?
A proclamation is a form of presidential directive that calls for a specific action from citizens or government officials.
Similar to executive orders, proclamations are also published in the Federal Register.
President George Washington used a proclamation to suppress the Whiskey Rebellion, while President Abraham Lincoln used the Emancipation Proclamation to free slaves in the Deep South. Following the 2001 terrorist attacks, President George W. Bush used a proclamation to declare a state of national emergency.
What is a political memorandum?
A lesser-known directive, a political memorandum, refers to when a president gives a formal order to cabinet secretaries.
These orders don't hold any official power but instead instruct members to take action, whether it's preparing a report or setting national regulations.
What is an executive action?
An executive action is an umbrella term for any policy directive a president uses, whether that's an executive order, a proclamation or a memorandum.
How many executive orders did Joe Biden issue?
President Joe Biden signed 160 executive orders during his time in office.
How many executive orders did Donald Trump issue in first term?
Trump signed a total of 220 executive orders during his first administration.
Contributing: Gregory Korte
This story has been updated to add new information.