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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Breaking Down OPM’s ‘Fork in the Road’ Email to Federal Workers
Though the subject line borrows a phrase from Musk’s Twitter email, the federal government is not a private company, and its HR policies are arcane and legally binding. -
The Trump Defense Department’s First Border Deployment: A Return to the Past
Trump’s first southern border deployment retreads old ground and almost certainly relies on non-emergency authorities, many of which were also employed by the Biden administration. -
Lawfare Daily: Understanding the Impoundment Crisis
What is going on with the federal government funding freeze? -
Sanctuary, Supremacy, History, and the Deep Country
The Trump administration lacks the legal power to coerce state and local authorities to enlist in its deportation campaign—and ignores the history of similar failed efforts. -
A Primer on the Impoundment Control Act
Refusals to undertake required spending are already a major theme of Trump’s second term, but the law limits such executive action. -
Lawfare Live: Patel, Gabbard, and Kennedy Confirmation Hearings
Watch the discussion on Jan. 30 at 4 pm ET.
Documents
This page was created by Anna Hickey.