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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Is Trump’s ‘Anti-Weaponization’ Slush Fund Dead? Or Is It Undead?
And why the answer is less important than you might think. -
Inside the Implementation of Schedule Policy/Career
President Trump signed an executive order making over 8,000 federal employees removable at will. -
The Criminal Probe of E. Jean Carroll’s Lawsuits
Whoever is the primary subject—Reid Hoffman or Carroll—the inquiry appears to constitute archetypal prosecutorial abuse. -
Lawfare Live: The Trials of the Trump Administration, June 5
Join the Lawfare team at 4 pm ET for a discussion of the litigation surrounding the Trump administration. -
The Justice Department Erases History; Lawfare Restores It
Last week, the Justice Department deleted thousands of press releases related to the Jan. 6 insurrection and other matters. Here they are. -
Lawfare Live: The Trials of the Trump Administration, May 29
Join the Lawfare team at 4 pm ET for a discussion of the litigation surrounding the Trump administration.
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Documents
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Trump Orders Pause on Federal Financial Assistance
The memorandum directs agencies to pause funding and conduct a review of programs implicated by executive orders. -
Presidential Action on Security Clearance for White House Employees
The action grants the highest level security clearance to certain individuals immediately, without full investigations. -
Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Executive Order Nationwide
The restraining order is to remain in effect for 14 days. -
Justice Dept Memo Calls for Investigations of State and Local Officials
The new policy directs department attorneys to investigate and potentially prosecute those officials who refuse to enforce Trump’s hard-line immigration enforcement policies. -
Trump Releases Memorandum on ‘America First Trade Policy’
The memo calls for a reassessment of trade agreements and recommendations to “defend” U.S. economic and national security. -
Trump Directs State Department to Recommend Cartels for Terrorism Designation
The order also directs the attorney general and secretary of homeland security to “make operational preparations” to implement any decision the president may make “to invoke the Alien Enemies Act.”
This page was created by Anna Hickey.