Executive Order Tracker
Presidential executive orders usually attract more attention than the myriad other executive actions by a presidential administration, because they signal the intent and direction of the administration’s political and regulatory efforts. When a president issues an executive order, most of the resulting commentary focuses on whether its policy goals are good or bad. These evaluations are often predictable based on the partisan affiliation of the commentators.
We at the Center for Practical Federalism believe it’s important to consider not just an executive order’s immediate policy consequences, but its long-term effects on state and local authority. This authority has been unwisely and improperly diminished during decades of federal expansion, so it’s important to scrutinize the effects federal actions have on the federalist balance that was so important to the American founding, and which has undergirded American stability, freedom, and prosperity.
To that end, we offer this tracker of active executive orders that have a direct impact on American federalism and self-governance.
Executive orders typically provide broad instructions to the federal government, setting off a chain of activity across agencies. Without strong federalism safeguards, these orders can concentrate even more power in Washington—making future policy swings more dramatic with each new administration. To that end, this tool will not only scrutinize active executive orders, but also provide insights on how to integrate federalism principles into them, as a bulwark against federal agency overreach.
Establishment of the Religious Liberty Commission
This order (14291) creates a 14-member Religious Liberty Commission appointed by the President and supported by three advisory boards: Religious Leaders, Lay Leaders, and Legal Experts.
Empowering Commonsense Wildfire Prevention and Response
This order (14308) removes federal barriers that hinder fast local response to wildfires and promotes technology-enabled, locally led land management
Strengthening and Unleashing America's Law Enforcement To Pursue Criminals and Protect Innocent Citizens
This executive order (14288) directs federal resources toward training, funding, data sharing, and best practices to help state and local law enforcement aggressively police communities against all crimes.
Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America's Truck Drivers
This order (14286) directs the Department of Transportation to enforce the longstanding English-language proficiency requirement for commercial truck drivers, codified through regulation, by rescinding 2016 guidance that discouraged enforcement of the rule.
Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources
This executive order (14285) directs federal agencies to accelerate the responsible development of critical minerals and energy resources located in offshore seabed areas, including the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf and areas beyond national jurisdiction.
Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth
This Executive Order (14277) establishes a national strategy to promote artificial intelligence (AI) literacy and proficiency among K–12 students and educators.
Reforming Accreditation To Strengthen Higher Education
This Executive Order (14279) directs the U.S. Department of Education to conduct reviews of higher education accreditors and take action against those imposing unlawful or discriminatory standards that conflict with federal law or Supreme Court decisions.
Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base
This order seeks to rebuild the U.S. nuclear energy sector by expanding domestic uranium enrichment and fuel reprocessing capabilities, restarting or completing shuttered plants, and accelerating construction of new advanced reactors.
Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security
This order directs the Departments of Defense and Energy to accelerate the siting, construction, and operation of advanced nuclear reactors.
Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty
This executive order (EO) directs a coordinated federal response to drone-related threats by establishing a new interagency task force, expediting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rulemaking, and enhancing surveillance and enforcement powers over unmanned aircraft systems.
Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities
This order directs the Secretary of Education to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return authority over education to the States and local communities.”
Achieving Efficiency Through State and Local Preparedness
This order requires modifications of pre-existing federal efforts to increase the resilience of American transportation, communication, manufacturing, and other infrastructure, as well as supply chains, against man-made and natural threats.
Keeping Education Accessible and Ending COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates in Schools
This order directs federal agencies to identify any schools or educational programs at any level, from elementary to college, that are recipients of discretionary federal funds and which require participants to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Deregulatory Initiative
This executive order directs federal agencies to identify and potentially rescind regulations that exceed constitutional and statutory authority, impose excessive costs, or undermine national interests.
Ending Procurement and Forced Use of Paper Straws
“Ending Procurement and Forced Use of Paper Straws” aims to end the use of paper straws in federal practices but raises concerns about federal influence over state policies on plastic straw bans.
Establishment of the White House Faith Office
This Executive Order requests a multi-agency assessment of where federal practices discourage participation of faith-based organizations, but with an added push to seek input “from experts and various faith and community leaders.
Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias
“Eliminating Anti-Christian Bias” directs agencies to eliminate the prior administration’s use of federal power to define and prosecute as crimes various faith-oriented advocacy activities
Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports
“Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” builds on goals and definitions established in a prior EO aimed at protecting women from biological males who compete in all-female sports leagues and use facilities reserved for women.
Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation
This executive order directs federal agencies for every new regulation in 2025 to identify ten existing regulations for elimination. It could have significant implications for federalism and the future of regulatory reform.