What is an executive order? A look at Trump's tool for quickly reshaping government

WASHINGTON Donald Trump is returning to the White House ready to immediately overhaul the government using the fastest tool he has the executive order.

An incoming president signing a flurry of executive orders is standard practice.

Executive orders allow a president to wield power without action from Congress.

But there are also limits to what orders can achieve.

A primer on how the presidential power works and its often fleeting impact: Basically, they are signed statements about how the president wants the federal government to be managed.

They can be instructions to federal agencies or requests for reports.

Many orders can be unobjectionable, such as giving federal employees the day after Christmas off.

They can also lay out major policies.

For example, President Joe Biden signed an order to create a structure for establishing regulations on artificial intelligence.

But executive orders and their policy sausage-making siblings, the proclamation and political memorandum also are used by presidents to pursue agendas they can't get through Congress.

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New presidents can and often do issue orders to cancel the orders of their predecessors.

As the American Bar Association notes, the orders do not require congressional approval and can't be directly overturned by lawmakers.

Still, Congress could block an order from being fulfilled by removing funding or creating other hurdles.

Throughout U.S.

history, there have been several thousand executive orders, according to data collected by the American Presidency Project at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

George Washington signed eight executive orders, while Franklin Delano Roosevelt did 3,721.

During his first term, Trump, a Republican, signed 220.

Biden, a Democrat, signed 160 as of Dec.

20.

FILE - President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, April 25, 2017.

(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) Trump forecasted signing as many as 100 executive orders on his first day, possibly covering deportations, the U.S.-Mexico border, domestic energy, Schedule F rules for federal workers, school gender policies and vaccine mandates, among other Day 1 promises made during his campaign.

He's also promised an executive order to give more time for the sale of TikTok.

Trump has asked Rep.

Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., to write an order stopping the development of offshore windmills for generating electricity.

Many of Trump's measures are likely to draw Democratic opposition.

And in several major cases, the orders will largely be statements of intent based off campaign promises made by Trump.

Both Congress and the courts can potentially block executive orders.

For example, Congress in 1992 revoked an executive order by then-President George H.W.

Bush that would establish a human fetal tissue bank for scientific research by passing a measure that the order "shall not have any legal effect." Congress can also deny funding to agencies and hamstring the enforcement of an order.

There are also legal challenges based on the argument that a president exceeded his legal authorities.

When President Harry Truman tried to seize steel mills during the Korean War, the U.S.

Supreme Court said he lacked the authority to take private property without authorization from Congress.

Photos: Scenes from Donald Trump's second inauguration Rudy Giuliani, center arrives for a church service to be attended by President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania at St.

John's Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025, on Donald Trump's inauguration day.

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Eric Trump and wife Lara, daughter Carolina and son Luke, arrive for church service to be attended by President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania, at St.

John's Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025, on Donald Trump's inauguration day.

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke) A sign is seen near St.

John's Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025, where President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania will attend an early morning service to start Trump's inauguration day.

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Ivanka Trump and her family arrive for a church service to be attended by President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania at St.

John's Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025, on Donald Trump's inauguration day.

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke) President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania arrive for church service at St.

John's Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025, on Donald Trump's inauguration day.

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Staff prepare before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP) President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden greet Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff upon their arrival at the White House, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025, in Washington.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon) President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden greet Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff upon their arrival at the White House, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025, in Washington.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon) President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk out to greet Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff upon their arrival at the White House, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025, in Washington.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Robert F.

Kennedy Jr.

arrives for a church service to be attended by President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania at St.

John's Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025, on Donald Trump's inauguration day.

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke) President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania arrive for church service at St.

John's Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025, on Donald Trump's inauguration day.

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke) President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania are greeted as they arrive for church service at St.

John's Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025, on Donald Trump's inauguration day.

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke) President-elect Donald Trump talks with Vice President-elect JD Vance and Usha Vance before a service at St.

John's Church, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025, in Washington, ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration.

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) President-elect Donald Trump walks with his wife Melania after a church service at St.

John's Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025, on Donald Trump's inauguration day.

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff, greet Vice President-elect JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance upon their arrival at the White House, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025, in Washington.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon) President Joe Biden, center left, and first lady Jill Biden, left, greet President-elect Donald Trump, center right, and Melania Trump, right, upon arriving at the White House, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025, in Washington.

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Director of "The President's Own" U.S.

Marine Band, Lt.

Col.

Ryan Nowlin directs musicians before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool) President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk out to greet President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump, as they arrive at the White House, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025, in Washington.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon) President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump are greeted by President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, upon their arrival at the White House, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025, in Washington.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Vice President Kamala Harris, right, and second gentleman Doug Emhoff stand before greeting Vice President-elect JD Vance and Usha Vance at the White House, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025, in Washington.

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., left, and his wife Elaine Chao arrive for the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool) Susie Wiles and Miriam Adelson arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool) President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump walk out to the presidential limosine, as they depart the White House, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025, in Washington, enroute to the Capitol.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Vivek Ramaswamy, center, arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP) From left, former Speaker of the House John Boehner, Callista Gingrich, Debbie Boehner and former speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via AP, Pool) Sen.

John Fetterman, D-Pa., arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool) Ivanka Trump arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(Melina Mara/The Washington Post via AP, Pool) Donald Trump Jr.

and his daughter, Kai Trump, arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(Melina Mara/The Washington Post via AP, Pool) Lara and Eric Trump arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(Melina Mara/The Washington Post via AP, Pool) President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump, escorted by Sen.

Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., walk out to the presidential limousine, as they depart the White House, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025, in Washington, enroute to the Capitol.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Elon Musk arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

In foreground are Susie Wiles, left and Miriam Adelson.

(AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool) Attendees arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool) Jeff Bezos arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool) Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, followed by Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio, arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool) Robert F.

Kennedy Jr.

arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool) Lee Greenwood sings before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool) Guests including Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk, arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool) From left, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President George W.

Bush, former first lady Laura Bush and former President Barack Obama, arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP) Barron Trump arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP) Former Presidents George W.

Bush, left, and Bill Clinton arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP) Former President Barack Obama arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP) Former NHL player Wayne Gretzky, left, and his wife Janet Jones arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP) Former Vice President Mike Pence arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool) Supporters of President-elect Donald Trump honk as they past a group from La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), meaning The Union of the Entire People, marching to protest the inauguration of President-elect Trump, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025, in McAllen, Texas.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay) Supporters of President-elect Donald Trump honk as they past a group from La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), meaning The Union of the Entire People, marching to protest the inauguration of President-elect Trump, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025, in McAllen, Texas.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay) President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris arrive during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP) Tim Cook arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP) President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris arrive during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(Andrew Harnik/Pool Photo via AP) Family members of President-elect Donald Trump stand in the first row before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(Saul Loeb/Pool photo via AP) Rupert Murdoch arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP) From left, Eric Trump, Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr., arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP) La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), meaning The Union of the Entire People, march to protest the inauguration of incoming President-elect Donald Trump, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025, in McAllen, Texas.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay) Members of the Trump family listen as Christopher Maccio sings during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

(AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool) Donald Trump, right, and JD Vance, left, on stage before taking their oaths of office during the Inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S.

Capitol in Washington on Monday, Jan.

20, 2025.

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