As Donald Trump takes office for the second time, his administration has moved quickly to implement a number of executive measures that are intended to change important facets of US policy. On his first day in office, the re-elected US president is anticipated to sign between 100 and 200 executive orders, including directives from the president and legally enforceable measures. 

Trump had promised to launch the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), improve artificial intelligence (AI) programs, and make long-classified documents on the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy public before he returned to the White House. He intends to eliminate diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) rules in the military and guide the military toward developing an Iron Dome missile defense system.  

Executive orders are tools that allow the US President to manage the federal government's operations, guide agencies, or tackle specific national issues without needing approval from Congress. These orders give the president strong authority to influence government activities or address national concerns directly. Based on Article II of the US Constitution, executive orders allow the president to exercise executive power in various areas. Throughout history, they have been used for major policy changes as well as everyday administrative tasks. For example, in 2017, during Trump's previous term, he approved controversial oil pipeline projects, and in 2015, Barack Obama issued an order for government departments to close early on Christmas Eve. These examples show the variety of issues that can be dealt with through such directives. While US presidents can issue executive orders, these orders are expected to be reviewed by the US Office of Legal Counsel before they are signed.

Executive orders have historically been used frequently in times of emergency or when prompt action is needed. Harry Truman's order in 1952 to put the steel sector under government control in order to avert a strike and President Franklin D. Roosevelt's order in 1942 to establish detention centers for Japanese Americans during World War II are two notable examples. 

There is no specific limit to how many executive orders a U.S. president can issue during their time in office. The number of executive orders depends on how much the president uses their executive power and the issues the country faces, like national security, policy changes, or emergencies. Some presidents may issue only a few, while others may issue hundreds throughout their term. Franklin D. Roosevelt holds the record for the most executive orders, signing 3,721 during his 12 years in office. In comparison, Woodrow Wilson issued 1,803 orders, and Calvin Coolidge signed 1,203. More recently, Joe Biden issued 160 executive orders. Barack Obama and George W. Bush, who both served two terms, signed 277 and 291 orders, respectively. Donald Trump signed 220 executive orders during his first term. 

Controversy surrounds executive orders. Legal problems and political disputes are frequently the result of executive orders, which give the president the ability to circumvent Congress. For example, during the Syrian refugee crisis in 2017, Trump banned travel to the United States from six countries with a majority of Muslims. This decision sparked a lot of criticism. He was eventually overthrown by Joe Biden, his successor. Obama's healthcare reforms were partly overturned after legal challenges from Republicans.

Presidents have frequently reversed their predecessors' actions through executive orders in recent years. Biden swiftly signed directives to lift Trump's immigration restriction and rejoin the Paris climate agreement after taking office. By executive action, Trump, on the other hand, attacked Obama-era policies, such as the Affordable Care Act. On his first day in the White House, Trump is anticipated to sign hundreds of orders. The following is a list of signed orders: 

• Ending Birthright Citizenship
  Birthright citizenship, protected by the 14th Amendment, guarantees that anyone born in the US automatically becomes a citizen. If the government tries to remove this right, it would likely face strong legal challenges. The new order seeks to stop issuing documents that confirm US citizenship to anyone born in the US within 30 days of the order being enacted. 
• Exiting the World Health Organization
  The US has decided to leave the World Health Organization (WHO) within the next 12 months and will stop providing financial support to the organization. Since the US is the largest contributor to WHO, this decision marks a big change in the country’s involvement with global health efforts. 
• Withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement
  In 2017, Trump officially pulled the US out of the Paris Climate Agreement. His latest executive order reaffirms his decision to leave the global pact aimed at tackling climate change, which was a promise he made during his election campaign. 
• Renaming the Gulf of Mexico
  Trump directed that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the "Gulf of America," keeping a promise he made in a recent press conference. 
• Delaying the TikTok Ban
  Trump signed an order to delay the enforcement of a federal ban on TikTok for at least 75 days. 
• Revoking 78 of Biden’s Executive Actions
  Trump signed an order to undo 78 executive actions taken by Biden. Trump reversed 78 executive actions signed by President Biden, including several aimed at promoting racial equality and protecting LGBTQ+ rights.
• National border emergency declaration:
  This executive action allows the deployment of US troops to the southern border, fulfilling Trump’s campaign promise to enforce stricter immigration policies.
• Revoking electric vehicle goals:
  Trump canceled a non-binding order from Biden that aimed for half of all new vehicles sold by 2030 to be electric. He also plans to ease the stricter pollution standards for cars set by the Biden administration last spring. 
• Reclassification of Federal Workers
  Trump’s executive order changed the status of many federal workers, labeling them as political appointees. This makes it easier to remove them from their positions. 
• Declaring a National Energy Emergency
  Trump declared a national energy emergency to boost fossil fuel production. This is part of a broader plan to increase U.S. energy output, including lifting restrictions on drilling in Alaska and restarting gas exports. The declaration speeds up the approval of new fossil fuel infrastructure projects. 
• Establishing a Two-Gender Policy
  Trump signed an executive order to remove "gender ideology" from federal documents, policies, and communications. The new policy officially recognizes only two genders — male and female — in government records. 
• Issuing pardons for Jan 6 defendants
  Trump gave pardons and reduced sentences for people involved in the January 6 attack on the US Capitol. He also instructed the Department of Justice to drop the ongoing legal cases related to the event.