The difference between executive orders and other presidential actions, and why it matters

On this episode: President-elect Donald Trump is scheduled to return to the White House next week and has indicated plans to begin implementing his policy agenda. Executive orders are expected to serve as one of the primary tools available to him for directing federal policy.Executive orders represent one of three main categories of presidential executive action, alongside presidential memoranda and presidential proclamations. Each type has distinct purposes, legal characteristics, and degrees of authority.Ballotpedia staff writer Ellen Morrissey, who covers the presidency, joins the episode to outline the key differences among these types of executive actions, review their historical use, examine the records of recent presidents, and discuss common strategies administrations employ during the first 60 days in office.Follow along with Trump’s executive actions here, which will be updated as they become available: https://ballotpedia.org/Donald_Trump%27s_executive_orders_and_actions,_2025 More on the transition process: https://ballotpedia.org/What_happens_during_Donald_Trump%27s_presidential_transition_process,_2024- Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at [email protected] or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.