Capitol Corner: Executive Actions
The following publication was written by Strategics Consulting for the Centralina Regional Council article series “Capitol Corner.”
Since taking office on January 20, 2025, President Trump has taken dozens of executive actions to implement his priorities and deliver on promises made during his campaign. These executive actions span a broad array of topics including immigration, trade, technology, energy, environmental policy, national security, workforce policy and social initiatives.
Among the various forms of executive action, executive orders are one of the most significant tools available to the President to enact change. Executive orders are signed, written and published directives from the President of the United States, which are numbered consecutively. Administrative orders such as memos, notices and letters are also executive actions but are not usually numbered. The orders provide guidance that is used to manage the federal government. Depending on the action, it can either be found on the White House website under Fact Sheets or Presidential Actions.
Executive orders have the force of law but are not legislation; they require no approval from Congress, and Congress cannot simply overturn them. Congress may pass legislation to make it difficult, or even impossible, to carry out the order. For example, Congress can remove funding for an activity. Executive actions can be undone by a sitting U.S. President or by a court decision. Legal battles over many of Trump’s executive actions are ongoing. In some cases, the courts have temporarily suspended the actions.
The Trump Administration issued a memorandum on January 27, 2025, that directed all federal agencies to temporarily pause the disbursement of federal financial assistance and assess if the assistance aligns with President Trump’s priorities listed in certain executive orders. The memorandum was ultimately rescinded.
The administration is expected to continue its review of federal programs covered by its executive orders.
