Every time a new president takes office, the news is filled with talk of executive orders. Some people celebrate them, others worry about their consequences, and many wonder—what exactly is an executive order, and how does it affect everyday life?
Whether it’s about healthcare, immigration, or environmental policies, executive orders (EOs) have a real impact on the country and sometimes even on your own community. Understanding them is key to knowing how the government operates and how changes might affect you.
Let’s break it all down: what an EO is, how it works, and what it means for you.
What Is an Executive Order?
An executive order is an official directive issued by the President of the United States. It acts as an instruction for federal agencies on how to carry out existing laws or policies. Unlike laws passed by Congress, an EO does not require approval from the House or Senate. Instead, it comes directly from the president’s authority.
Think of it as a CEO giving orders to their employees—except in this case, the CEO is the president, and the employees are government agencies. These orders tell agencies how to enforce laws, set policies, or direct resources.
How Do Executive Orders Work?
Executive orders are based on the president’s authority from the U.S. Constitution or existing federal laws. However, they must stay within legal limits. A president cannot create new laws through an EO—only Congress has that power.
Here’s how the process works:
- The president drafts and signs an EO.
- The order is published in the Federal Register (the official journal of the U.S. government).
- Federal agencies follow the order by implementing the necessary changes.
Because EOs don’t require congressional approval, they allow a president to make swift policy changes. However, they are not always permanent and can be challenged or overturned.
Famous Executive Orders in History
Some of the most well-known moments in U.S. history happened because of executive orders. Here are a few examples:
- The Emancipation Proclamation (1863) – Abraham Lincoln
- Freed enslaved people in Confederate states during the Civil War.
- Desegregation of the Military (1948) – Harry Truman
- Ended racial segregation in the U.S. Armed Forces.
- Internment of Japanese Americans (1942) – Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Ordered Japanese Americans into internment camps during World War II, later recognized as a grave injustice.
- DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) (2012) – Barack Obama
- Provided protections from deportation for certain undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.
These examples show how powerful executive orders can be. Some, like the Emancipation Proclamation, changed the course of history for the better. Others, like Japanese American internment, are now seen as mistakes.
Can Executive Orders Be Challenged or Overturned?
Yes! While executive orders are powerful, they are not absolute. There are a few ways they can be challenged or reversed:
- The Courts: If an EO is believed to be unconstitutional, it can be challenged in federal court. Judges can block it if they rule that the president overstepped their authority.
- Congress: Lawmakers can pass new legislation that contradicts an EO, effectively canceling it out. However, this usually requires a strong majority, as the president can veto legislation.
- Future Presidents: A new president can overturn previous executive orders simply by signing a new one. This is why many EOs change when a new administration takes office.
For example, President Biden issued an EO reversing the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, which had originally been done through an EO by President Trump. In 2025, President Trump once again issued an EO to withdraw from the Paris Climate agreement.
How Executive Orders May Affect You
Even though executive orders often seem like high-level government decisions, they can trickle down and impact daily life. Here are some areas where EOs might affect you:
- Healthcare – Changes in Medicare, Medicaid, or prescription drug prices can be directed through EOs. Presidents have used them to expand or limit access to healthcare services.
- Workers’ Rights – Minimum wage increases for federal contractors, paid leave policies, or labor protections can all be implemented via executive orders.
- Immigration Policies – Travel bans, protections for undocumented immigrants, and border policies often come from executive orders. If you or someone you know is an immigrant, these changes could be life-altering.
- Environmental Regulations – EOs have been used to regulate oil drilling, protect national parks, or roll back environmental protections. These policies can affect energy prices, jobs, and climate initiatives in your community.
How to Stay Informed
Because executive orders can have real impacts, it’s important to stay informed. Here are a few ways to do that:
- Check the Federal Register – This is the official record of all executive orders.
- Follow reputable news sources – Many news outlets track and analyze new executive orders.
- Engage with your representatives – If an EO affects something important to you, reach out to your local or state officials to share your opinion.
Final Thoughts
Executive orders are a powerful tool for presidents to shape policy quickly. While they don’t replace laws passed by Congress, they can still have a major influence on government operations and daily life.
Understanding EOs helps you stay engaged in how your government functions and how decisions made in Washington, D.C., can affect your healthcare, job, and community. Staying informed, voting, and making your voice heard are the best ways to ensure that policies reflect what matters most to you.