Since Donald Trump took office early this year he has signed a long and ever-growing list of executive orders, hoping to fulfill a number of his campaign promises.
In his first three weeks alone, Trump signed a burst of orders to undo many of President Barack Obama's policies.
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Here's an updated overview of each of Trump's orders:
"Executive Order Minimizing the Economic Burden of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act"
Signed: Jan. 20, 2017
Hours after being sworn in, Trump signed an executive order aimed at reversing the Affordable Care Act — Obama's landmark legislation — which Republicans vowed to "repeal and replace" throughout the campaign.
The executive order states that the Trump administration will "seek prompt repeal" of the law. To minimize the "economic burden" of Obamacare, the order instructs the secretary of health and human services and other agency heads to "waive, defer, grant exemptions from, or delay the implementation" of any part of the law that places a fiscal burden on the government, businesses or individuals.
Also in the order are directions to give states more control over implementing health care laws.
"Expediting Environmental Reviews and Approvals for High-Priority Infrastructure Projects"
Signed: Jan. 24, 2017
The order outlines how the administration will expedite environmental reviews and approval of "high priority" infrastructure projects, such as repairs to bridges,
The order directs the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), within 30 days of a request, to determine a project's environmental impact and decide whether it is "high priority." Project review deadlines are to be put in place by the CEQ's chairman.
The order is widely believed to have been issued in response to the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline.
"Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States"
Signed: Jan. 25, 2017
The order outlines changes to a few immigration policies, but most notably it strips federal grant money to so-called sanctuary cities.
In addition, the secretary of homeland security is ordered to hire 10,000 more immigration officers, create a publicly available weekly list of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants and review previous immigration policies.
The order also creates an office to assist the victims of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants and calls
"Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements"
Signed: Jan. 25, 2017
The order is aimed at fulfilling one of Trump's key campaign promises — enhancing border security — by directing federal funding to
Other parts of the order call for hiring 5,000 more Border Patrol agents, building facilities to hold undocumented immigrants near the Mexican border and ending "catch-and-release" protocols, in which immigrants in the United States without documentation are not detained while they await court hearings.
"Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States"
Signed: Jan. 27, 2017
The order suspends the entry of immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries — Syria, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan,
Also in the order is the suspension of Obama's 2012 Visa Interview Waiver Program, which allowed frequent U.S. tourists to bypass the visa interview process.
White House officials have made a number of contradictory statements, at times calling the order a "ban" and at other times referring to it as a "travel restriction." After the order was signed, thousands of protesters popped up at airports across the country to denounce it.
"Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Appointees"
Signed: Jan. 28, 2017
This order stops all executive branch officials from lobbying for five years after they leave office and places a lifetime ban on lobbying a foreign government.
The order enacts a number of other lobbying restrictions, including banning appointees from accepting gifts from registered lobbyists and banning appointees who were lobbyists from participating in any issues they petitioned for within the last two years.
Some raised concerns over how Trump will fill the jobs in his administration under the new rules.
"Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs"
Signed: Jan. 30, 2017
The order states that executive departments and agencies must slash two regulations for
The order also directs the head of each agency to keep records of the cost savings, to be sent to the president.
"Core Principles for Regulating the United States Financial System"
Signed: Feb. 3, 2017
The order lays the administration's "Core Principles" regarding the U.S. financial system, which includes:
- Making regulation "efficient, effective and appropriately tailored"
- Preventing government bailouts
- Ensuring that U.S. firms are competitive with foreign companies
- The order directs the treasury secretary to review financial regulations and report back to the president 120 days later with a determination of whether current policies promote the "Core Principles."
"Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety"
Signed: Feb. 9, 2017
The order directs Attorney General Jeff Sessions to create a task force that would propose new legislation to reduce crime, highlighting drug trafficking, illegal
Throughout the campaign, Trump promised voters a return to "law and order" in the United States and said minorities from inner cities are "living in hell" because of violent crime.
"Preventing Violence Against Federal, State, Tribal, and Local Law Enforcement Officers"
Signed: Feb. 9, 2017
The order calls on the Justice Department to "enhance the protection and safety" of law enforcement by increasing penalties for crimes committed against officers.
The attorney general is also instructed to review and determine whether existing federal laws adequately protect law enforcement and later to propose legislation to better protect officers. The order directs the Justice Department to recommend changes in federal grant funding to law enforcement programs if they do not protect officers.
"Enforcing Federal Law With Respect to Transnational Criminal Organizations and Preventing International Trafficking"
Signed: Feb. 9, 2016
The order outlines the administration's approach to cutting down on organized crime — including gangs,
It identifies human trafficking, drug smuggling, financial crimes,
The Threat Mitigation National Intelligence — of which Sessions, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, and the secretary of homeland security are co-chairmen — will review and recommend changes to federal agencies' practices in a report to be delivered to the president within 120 days.
"Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Justice"
Signed: Feb. 9, 2017
Two weeks after Trump fired Acting Attorney General Sally Yates, this order changes the order of succession for Sessions, who won approval
A week before leaving office, Obama signed an executive order changing the order of succession without explanation.
"Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda"
Signed: Feb. 24, 2017
Under this order, each agency must designate an official as its Regulatory Reform Officer (RRO), who will be responsible for reviewing current regulations and making recommendations to the agency head on how to modify them. The RRO must hone in on certain regulations, such as those that are outdated or are perceived to curtail job creation.
The order reiterate's Trump's plan to cut down on regulations and comes nearly a month after the president signed an executive order requiring agencies to slash two regulations for every one proposed.
"Restoring the Rule of Law, Federalism, and Economic Growth by Reviewing the 'Waters of the U.S.' Rule"
Signed Feb. 28, 2017
The order calls on federal agencies to revise a regulation put in place by former president Barack Obama called the Clean Water Rule. Signed in 2015, the rule expanded the number of bodies of water protected by the federal government to include streams, ponds and smaller waterways.
Trump's order directs the administrator of the EPA and the assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works to review the rule and propose a new one that either eliminates or revises Obama's rule.
"White House Initiative to Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities"
Signed Feb. 28, 2017
The order transfers the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (WHHBCU) from the Department of Education to the Executive Office of the President. Since its creation under President Ronald Reagan, the initiative had been under the purview of the Education Department.
Trump met with dozens of HBCU presidents the day prior
In an interview with NBC News, Omarosa Manigault said of the order, "We understand that the executive order starts the action but there are so many different steps in terms of defining programming."
"Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the U.S."
Signed: March 6, 2017
The order revises Trump's original U.S. immigration ban, which was hit with dozens of lawsuits shortly after being signed in February and blocked by a federal judge in Washington state. The new order, which goes into effect March 16, bans citizens from six Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. for 90 days.
The countries include Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen,
"Comprehensive Plan for Reorganizing the Executive Branch"
Signed: March 13, 2017
The order assigns the Office of Management and Budget director Mick Mulvaney to propose a plan to "reorganize and governmental functions and eliminate unnecessary agencies" in an effort to cut down
During a daily press briefing, Press Secretary Sean Spicer called the executive order "long overdue" and said agencies will undergo a "thorough investigation" into fiscal waste, though he was unable to provide a target goal for the amount of money the order aims to save.
"The Revocation of Federal Contracting Executive Orders"
Signed: March 27, 2017
The executive order revokes key components of the Obama administration's previous executive order banning federal contractors from discriminating against employees on the basis of sexual orientation or identity, gay rights advocates say.
Organizations representing the LGBTQ community say the "Presidential Executive Order on the Revocation of Federal Contracting Executive Orders" hobbles several of Obama's previous orders including the "Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces" order by revoking the requirement that companies seeking federal contracts prove they've complied with federal laws banning discrimination based on sexual identity or orientation.
"Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth"
Signed: March 28, 2017
The order directs the Environmental Protection Agency to review another executive order, called the Clean Power Plan, signed by Barack Obama in 2014. Obama's plan, which aimed to reduce carbon pollution from power plants, was halted by the Supreme Court in 2016.
Trump's new order also asks agencies to review any regulations that could "potentially burden the development or use" of oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy resources. Within 180 days, the agencies must submit reports to the Office of Management and Budget, which will take action to eliminate regulations.
"Establishing the President's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis"
Signed: March 29, 2017
The order creates the "Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and Opioid Crisis," which will study the federal government's effectiveness in fighting drug addiction by reviewing funding levels, accessibility of treatment services, prescription
Trump appointed Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey as head of the commission.
"Omnibus Report on Significant Trade Deficits"
Signed: March 31, 2017
The order directs the Commerce Department and U.S. Trade Representative to compile a report on trade practices that contribute to the trade deficit. The report will look at each of America's trade partners and assess whether the country's trade practices unfairly discriminate against the U.S.
Forms of discrimination the report will assess
@POTUS @realDonaldTrump signs executive orders on trade that will set the stage for revival in American manufacturing. #AmericaFirst pic.twitter.com/oQexlbnLtn
— Dan Scavino Jr. (@DanScavino) March 31, 2017
"Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Justice"
Signed: March 31, 2017
The order changes the succession line for the Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The new sequence is:
- United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia
- United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina
- United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas
"Establishing Enhanced Collection and Enforcement of Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties and Violations of Trade and Customs Law"
Signed:
The order directs the secretary of homeland security to develop a plan within 90 days to combat two types of non-trade barriers placed against the U.S.: anti-dumping and countervailing duties.
The order also directs the DHS Secretary and Treasury secretary to step up seizure of counterfeit goods and protect American companies from intellectual property right infringement.
"Buy American, Hire American"
Signed: April 18, 2017
The order has two parts. The "Hire American" portion of the bill targets the H-1B visa program, which allows businesses to hire high-skilled workers from outside the U.S., by putting less emphasis on the lottery system used to determine which companies can sponsor visas.
The "Buy American" portion of the order directs agencies to tighten rules that give priority to U.S. companies when hiring contractors or purchasing goods. This would be done by reducing the use of waivers and exceptions to current laws. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross must submit a review of "Buy American" loopholes within 220 days.
"Identifying and Reducing Tax Regulatory Burdens"
Signed: April 21, 2017
The order directs Secretary of Treasury Steve Mnuchin to review within 60 days all tax regulations put in place in 2016 and 2017 that put an "undue financial burden on United States taxpayers."
Within 150 days,
"Promoting Agriculture and Rural Prosperity in America"
Signed: April 25, 2017
The order creates a task force, led by Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, that will identify policy options to promote U.S. agriculture business and job growth in rural America. The task force must submit a report to Trump within 180 days.
The task force will look at regulations that impede U.S. agricultural growth and for ways to encourage the use of agricultural products made in America.
"Review of Designations Under the Antiquities Act"
Signed: April 26, 2017
The order directs the Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke to review federal monument designations — including national parks — made since 1996 that cover more than 100,000 acres of land. Under the 1906 Antiquities Act, presidents have the power to protect
Trump's order names one national monument designation in particular: Obama's 1.35 million-acre Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. Zinke must submit a report to Trump within 45 days.
"Enforcing Statutory Prohibitions on Federal Control of Education"
Signed: April 26, 2017
Under the order, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is directed to study federal overreach in local and state education systems.
As a strong advocate for charter schools, DeVos will determine within 300 days whether federal education regulations take control away from states in areas such as curriculum, school
"Improving Accountability and Whistleblower Protection"
Signed: April 27, 2017
The order is aimed at improving accountability within the Department of Veterans Affairs, which found itself at the center of a 2014 controversy in which dozens of veterans reportedly died while on the waitlist for medical care. The order directs Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin to create the "Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection" in the department within 45 days.
The office will be charged with investigating wrongdoing within the department and terminating any VA employee who fails to "carry out his or her duties on behalf of veterans."
"We will always stand with those who stood for freedom and who stood for us. They protected us, they made it all possible, and now we're going to protect and take care of them," Trump said at the signing.
"Implementing an America-First Offshore Energy Strategy"
Signed: April 28, 2017
The order reverses a ban on Arctic leasing put in place under the Obama administration in December and directs Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to review areas available for
"We are unleashing American energy and clearing the way for thousands and thousands of high-paying American energy jobs," President Trump said during the announcement.
"Establishment of Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy"
Signed: April 29, 2017
The order establishes the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, which will advise Trump on policies to increase economic growth and decrease the trade deficit. Leading the new office is Trump appointee and National Trade Council Director Peter Navarro, who said he wants to renegotiate NAFTA.
The office will also help implement the "Buy American, Hire American" executive order signed by Trump on April 18.
"Addressing Trade Agreement Violations and Abuses"
Signed: April 29, 2017
The order directs Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross to review all U.S. trade agreements, as well as relations with countries that run trade deficits with America.
Within 180 days, Ross must send a performance review to Trump detailing any violations.
"Establishment of the American Technology Council"
Signed: May 1, 2017
The order launches the American Technology Council, headed by 19 different Trump administration officials and cabinet members who will be tasked with modernizing the federal government's digital services and technology.
The task force, which ends in 2021, will "coordinate the vision, strategy, and direction" regarding the federal government's use of information technology.
"Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty"
Signed: May 4, 2017
The order eases IRS enforcement of the Johnson Amendment, which bans churches from engaging in political speech. It also gives relief to companies that disagree with the Affordable Care Act mandate on contraception in health care coverage.
Although the order shows Trump delivering on a key campaign promise, congressional approval is needed to fully repeal the law.