Trump’s Record-Breaking Executive Orders: What’s Changing and Why Courts Are Fighting Back

News
Amanda Austin
March 3, 2025
10 minutes read

(Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Since stepping back into the White House on January 20, Donald Trump has wasted no time making sweeping changes, signing a staggering 79 executive orders in just over a month. From trade and immigration to transgender rights and energy policy, the 47th president has been using executive actions to push his agenda, especially with a narrowly controlled Congress. According to the Federal Register, no U.S. president has signed so many orders this quickly since 1937.

Not surprisingly, Trump’s aggressive approach has sparked legal battles. By February 27, 16 of his orders had already been challenged in court, according to Just Security at NYU School of Law.

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A major focus has been the economy, with 27 orders related to trade, tariffs, and energy. He’s taken aim at Canada, Mexico, and China, imposing a 10% tariff on Chinese imports and threatening additional duties. He also declared a “national energy emergency” to expand fossil fuel production, keeping his “drill, baby, drill” promise. At the same time, he’s rolled back policies supporting electric cars, wind energy, and even brought back plastic straws.

On social issues, Trump has signed 14 executive orders targeting diversity programs and transgender rights. His administration now only recognizes male and female genders, has banned transgender individuals from serving in the military, and placed restrictions on gender transition procedures for minors under 19. He’s also banned federal agencies and the military from using affirmative action in hiring decisions. Many of these orders have already been challenged in court.

Immigration has also been a major priority, with 15 orders signed so far. One of the first was a freeze on refugee admissions, labeling them “detrimental to the interests of the United States”. Funding for refugee programs was also halted—though a court has since blocked that move. Trump also made waves by trying to reinterpret the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil. That fight is expected to reach the Supreme Court.

In a move that sparked fresh controversy, Trump signed an order making English the official language of the United States.

One of the more surprising developments has been the rise of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), led by Elon Musk. Six executive orders have given Musk new authority to cut costs in government programs, with one directive calling for the “deconstruction of the overbearing and burdensome administrative state.”

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Healthcare hasn’t been left out, with 13 orders rolling back previous policies. Trump withdrew the U.S. from the World Health Organization, reversed protections for access to abortion pills and privacy laws around abortion data, and reinstated military personnel who had been discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccines. He also blocked federal subsidies for schools that mandate COVID vaccines.

Technology is also on Trump’s radar, with 10 executive orders in the space. These include actions on artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies, areas where Musk has been heavily involved. Despite concerns about conflicts of interest—given that Musk’s companies hold billion-dollar government contracts—Trump has relied on him as a key advisor.

With lawsuits piling up and legal challenges intensifying, the real question is: how much of Trump’s executive order blitz will actually hold up in court?