On Jan. 20, 2025, Donald Trump became the 47th president of the United States. After taking the oath of office, President Trump began signing executive orders pardoning Jan. 6 defendants, implementing Schedule F to reclassify civil servants as political appointees, declaring a national emergency at the border, and more.
Executive actions related to national security and foreign policy can be found in the searchable table below, along with related documents, Lawfare analysis of the orders, and the legal challenges against them. We will continue to add to this page as events unfold.
Executive Orders
Lawfare Analysis
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Lawfare Live: The Trials of the Trump Administration, May 15
Join the Lawfare team at 4 pm ET for a discussion of the litigation surrounding the Trump administration. -
Law and the Iran War, After the First 60 Days
The War Powers Resolution hasn’t been rendered irrelevant. Its relevance is just beginning. -
Lawfare Daily: An Insider’s Account of the Trump Administration’s Dismantling of USAID
Nicholas Enrich discusses his experience within USAID as DOGE dismantled it from the inside. -
Lawfare Live: The Trials of the Trump Administration, May 1
Join the Lawfare team at 4 pm ET for a discussion of the litigation surrounding the Trump administration. -
What Does the Correspondents Dinner Have to Do With Trump’s Ballroom Project?
The case may test just how far national security deference by the courts to the executive can stretch. -
Racial Animus Claims May Play a Key Role in the TPS Cases
In the Temporary Protected Status cases at the High Court, reviewability is disputed. But the equal protection claims will likely survive.
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Documents
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Trump Signs Order Expanding Pentagon’s Role in Domestic Law Enforcement
The order directs Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to create a “specialized unit” within the D.C. National Guard -
Federal Judge Rules Habba Lacks Legal Authority as U.S. Attorney
The decision concluded that Alina Habba, New Jersey’s acting U.S. attorney, had been serving without lawful authority since July 1. -
D.C. Sues Trump Administration Over Seizing Control of District Police
The suit calls for injunctive and declaratory relief to prevent the “brazen usurpation” of the District’s independence. -
Trump Issues Full or Partial Travel Ban for 19 Countries
The administration says restrictions are necessary because the government “lacks the sufficient information to assess the risks they pose to the United States.” -
White House Releases Memo Directing Investigation Into Biden Admin
The memo asserts that former White House aides “abused the power of Presidential signatures” to conceal Biden’s cognitive decline. -
Trump Issues Proclamation to ‘Address Risks at Harvard University’
The order purports to restrict the entry of foreign nationals who plan to attend Harvard University.
This page was created by Anna Hickey.