Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:

1. An executive order is a written directive from the president of the United States that manages the federal government. Executive orders have the force of law and are used to direct the executive branch. According to the data from the visual above, which president signed the fewest executive orders in their first 100 days in office?

2. According to the data from the visual above, which president signed the most executive orders in their first 100 days in office? (Pro tip: this answer is the same for almost any question I could ask about a modern president.)

3. According to the data from the visual above, as of February 5, President Trump had signed 54 executive orders. By April 30th, the 100th day of his presidency, how do you think Trump’s number of executive orders will compare to other modern presidents?

4. According to the data from the visual above, how many of Trump’s executive orders were revocations of his predecessor’s executive orders?

5. Like many presidents, President Biden revoked many of his predecessor, Donald Trump’s executive orders. Likewise, Trump has now revoked many of Biden’s executive orders. It is likely, that Trump’s successor (Imagine a democratic president, Gavin Newsome or Travis Kelce?) will revoke many of Trump’s executive orders?

6. Before his inauguration, President Donald Trump vowed to sign 100 executive orders on his first day in office. And while he didn't hit that mark on Day 1, the number and breadth of executive actions he's taken so far has been historic. Executive orders serve another purpose too: "Unilateral activities … bolster Trump's image as the indispensable person in charge, the consummate leader, the strongman … And by acting unilaterally, he embodies the essential qualities of a strongman that many in his base desire," explains William Howell, a professor of political science and public policy at Johns Hopkins University. Some say the extensive use of executive orders shows the strength and power of a president, others say the opposite, that executive orders show that the president will not be able to advance his agenda through the legislature and thus must use the weaker and less durable executive order. Explain which side of this argument you are on.

7. The judicial branch can override an executive order by declaring it unconstitutional. Describe one way the legislative branch can counter or override an executive order?

8. If the judiciary declares an executive order unconstitutional, which branch of government would have to enforce their ruling by stopping the president’s executive order and how could this lead to a Constitutional crisis?

9. Browse through Trump’s executive orders from his second term in office and identify the one you most and the one you least agree with.

10. On his first day in office President Trump issued an executive order ending birthright citizenship which is granted by the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. Three Federal Judges have now declared this order unconstitutional. US Vice-President JD Vance has suggested the power of US judges is beginning to reach its limit, as the White House responds to a flurry of lawsuits that aim to stall its agenda. "Judges aren't allowed to control the executive's legitimate power," he wrote on X. Vance's remarks on Sunday came less than 24 hours after a judge blocked members of Trump's newly created advisory body, the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), from accessing sensitive treasury department systems. What do you think of JD Vance’s statement that presidents cannot be controlled by the courts? And what would James Madison think of Vance’s statement?

Write and Discuss

Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.

Act on your Learning

Email or call the President and let him know what you think about his recent executive orders. Call the President
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414

Get Creative

I created (with the help of AI!) a diss rap for JD Vance about checks and balances. Make your own diss rap of executive orders, the unitary executive theory, divided government, federalism, or any other GoPo topic or term.

Yo, checks and balances, they say it's the way
To keep the government in check every day
But I'm here to say, it's just a delay
Slows things down, gets in the way

Three branches, they fight and they fuss
Nothing gets done, it's all a big plus
For the lobbyists, and the special interests
While the people suffer, they're feeling the stress

They say it's for freedom, but I see it clear
It's just a way to keep the people in fear
Of a government that's too strong, they say
But all it does is keep progress at bay

So let's throw it out, let's start anew
A government that's for the people, it's true
Not for the branches, or the parties, or the few
Checks and balances, I'm through with you!

-JD Vance (VPOTUS)

Learning Extension*

Glossary