Executive Orders and Other Presidential Actions
The president creates many documents to issue orders and make announcements. These presidential actions can include executive orders, presidential memoranda, and proclamations.
Find the Latest Executive Orders and Other Presidential Actions
The White House posts the current president's executive orders and other presidential actions.
The Federal Register's online records include executive orders, presidential proclamations, and other documents from the current and recent former presidents. The National Archives' online records include executive orders dating back to 1937.
Learn About the Types of Presidential Actions
Executive Orders
An executive order has the power of federal law. Presidents can use executive orders to create committees and organizations. For example, President John F. Kennedy used one to create the Peace Corps. More often, presidents use executive orders to manage federal operations.
Congress may try to overturn an executive order by passing a bill that blocks it. But the president can veto that bill. Congress would then need to override that veto to pass the bill. Also, the Supreme Court can declare an executive order unconstitutional.
Presidential Memoranda
Presidential memoranda are like executive orders. The president can use memos to direct government operations. But presidential memos are not numbered when they are published in the Federal Register, as executive orders are.
Presidential Proclamations
Presidential proclamations are statements that address the public on policy matters. They are mainly symbolic and are usually not enforced as laws.