Will Trump Break Biden's Record for Executive Orders Signed on Day One?

Washington: With President-elect Donald Trump preparing to take office for a second term, questions are swirling about whether he will set a new record for the number of executive orders signed on his first day. Executive orders have long been a critical tool for U.S. presidents, enabling them to bypass Congress and implement policy decisions directly. Trump’s vow to take swift action upon returning to the White House has sparked curiosity about how his first day might compare to the record set by President Joe Biden.

Joe Biden currently holds the record for the most executive orders signed on the first day and first week of a presidency. On January 20, 2021, Biden issued nine executive orders on his first day, six of which were aimed at reversing key policies enacted by the Trump administration. These included rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement, revoking the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, and mandating face masks in federal buildings to curb the spread of COVID-19. Biden’s prolific use of executive orders continued through his first week, during which he signed a total of 22.

Executive orders have historically played a pivotal role in U.S. governance. They allow presidents to take direct action on pressing issues, especially when Congressional approval is unlikely or delayed. For instance, in 2014, President Barack Obama signed an executive order raising the minimum wage for federal contract workers to $10.10 an hour after efforts to legislate the change stalled in Congress. Such examples underscore the importance of this executive power in implementing immediate change.

Since 1937, only three presidents—Joe Biden, Donald Trump, and Bill Clinton—have issued executive orders on their first day in office. Donald Trump, during his initial term in 2017, signed one executive order on his first day, signaling his administration’s intent to begin repealing the Affordable Care Act. Bill Clinton also issued one executive order on his first day in 1993, which focused on government ethics and lobbying reforms. Biden, however, far surpassed his predecessors, making his first day in office one of the most active in terms of executive actions.

The Federal Register, which tracks executive orders, notes that their usage varies significantly between administrations. Franklin D. Roosevelt remains the all-time leader, having signed a staggering 2,023 executive orders during his four terms in office. His prolific use of this authority was largely driven by the Great Depression and World War II. Subsequent presidents, including Harry Truman with 906 orders and Dwight Eisenhower with 484, also relied heavily on executive orders to address major challenges of their time. In contrast, modern presidents have generally used them more sparingly, with George H.W. Bush signing only 46 orders during his single term.

For Trump to break Biden’s record, he would need to sign at least 23 executive orders on his first day or week in office. His campaign rhetoric has suggested that executive orders will be a cornerstone of his strategy to swiftly implement policies, particularly in areas like immigration enforcement, economic reforms, and infrastructure development. His first term saw him issue 220 executive orders, including notable actions like the travel ban targeting specific countries and rolling back environmental regulations.

Critics of executive orders argue that they concentrate too much power in the hands of the president, undermining the system of checks and balances. They caution that excessive reliance on executive orders can lead to policy swings with each new administration, creating instability. However, supporters contend that executive orders are essential for cutting through legislative gridlock, particularly on urgent matters where Congressional action is unlikely.

Trump’s re-election campaign emphasized his intent to act decisively from day one, suggesting that he may aim to surpass Biden’s record. Whether he achieves this feat or not, his approach to executive orders will likely shape the narrative of his second term and influence how future presidents wield this authority. As Trump prepares to return to the Oval Office, the nation watches closely to see how he leverages the power of executive orders to fulfill his policy goals.