If you’ve been watching the news lately, you know the paper trail coming out of the Oval Office is basically a blizzard. Since January 20, 2025, the pace has been relentless. It’s not just a few tweaks here and there; we’re talking about a fundamental rewiring of how the federal government operates.
Honestly, keeping track of Donald Trump’s executive orders list is like trying to drink from a firehose. One day it’s a massive tariff on copper, and the next, it’s an order about maintaining water pressure in your showerhead. People are scrambled. Some are cheering the "Day One" energy, while others are filing lawsuits before the ink even dries.
But what’s actually on the list? Beyond the headlines, there’s a specific set of directives that are changing the economy, the border, and even the way federal employees do their jobs.
The Big Ones: Border Security and "Invasion" Declarations
Right out of the gate, the administration didn't waste a second. On January 20, 2025, Trump signed a proclamation that didn't just talk about the border—it legally declared the situation an "invasion."
That’s a big deal.
By using that specific language, the administration triggered authorities under 8 U.S.C. § 1182(f) and § 1185(a). Basically, it allows the President to suspend the entry of anyone he deems "detrimental" to the U.S.
- Securing Our Borders (EO 14165): This order effectively shut down the CBP One app, which had been a staple of the previous administration’s processing system.
- The End of "Catch and Release": This directive mandates the detention of migrants until their removal proceedings are finished. No more waiting in the interior of the country.
- Massive Military Deployment: We’re seeing thousands of troops—some reports say upwards of 10,000—being moved to the southern border to assist ICE with "repatriation" flights.
You’ve probably heard about the "Remain in Mexico" program coming back, too. It’s officially called the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP). While the U.S. wants it back, there's been some back-and-forth with the Mexican government about who they'll actually take back. It’s a mess of diplomacy and logistics.
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The Economy, Tariffs, and the "War on Paper Straws"
If you think the border was the only priority, look at the trade numbers. The second Trump term has been defined by "reciprocal tariffs."
In 2025, we saw a flurry of orders imposing duties on everything from Canadian timber to Chinese semiconductors. For example, EO 14193 (which hit some legal snags early on) aimed to slap tariffs on goods from Canada to combat the flow of illicit drugs. Later in the year, by July 31, 2025, those duties on Canadian imports were bumped from 25% to 35%.
Then there’s the weirdly specific stuff.
Take Executive Order 14208. It’s literally titled "Ending Procurement and Forced Use of Paper Straws."
You might laugh, but it’s part of a broader push to get rid of what the administration calls "woke" or "burdensome" regulations. It sits right alongside orders to restore water pressure in showerheads and deregulate dishwashers. To the administration, these aren't jokes; they’re symbols of federal overreach.
The Energy Emergency
On the energy front, Trump declared a National Energy Emergency (EO 14156). This was designed to "unlock" domestic production. It rescinded a mountain of Biden-era climate regulations and paved the way for more offshore drilling and coal production.
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A specific focus has been on AI. Since AI data centers need an insane amount of power, the administration signed an order in April 2025 to reinvigorate the coal industry specifically to feed these tech hubs. It’s a "drill, baby, drill" mentality applied to the 21st-century tech race.
Draining the Swamp: Schedule F and DOGE
Perhaps the most controversial part of Donald Trump’s executive orders list involves the people who actually work for the government.
You’ve likely heard of Schedule F. This is the plan to reclassify tens of thousands of career civil servants as "at-will" employees.
The logic? If they aren't performing or if they're "resisting" the President's agenda, they can be fired easily.
Enter DOGE
Then there’s the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). While it sounds like a meme, it’s being implemented through serious executive actions like EO 14158 and EO 14207.
- Hiring Freezes: Most agencies are under a "one-in, four-out" rule. For every four people who leave or retire, the agency can only hire one.
- The Federal Executive Institute: This long-standing training hub for federal leaders was officially eliminated in February 2025.
- Return to Office: Remote work is basically dead for federal employees. Trump signed an order directing everyone back to the office, ending the flexible arrangements that became common during the pandemic.
Culture, Identity, and the "Biological Truth"
The administration has also leaned heavily into social policy via executive action. On his first day, Trump signed an order titled "Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism."
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This order did a few major things:
- It defined "sex" strictly as male or female based on biology for all federal policies.
- It banned transgender people from serving in the military (though this has faced significant legal challenges in the courts).
- it required transgender women in federal prisons to be moved to male facilities.
There’s also Executive Order 14201, which is all about "Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports." It targets Title IX and tries to force schools to prevent transgender girls from competing in female categories.
What Most People Get Wrong About These Orders
A common misconception is that an executive order is the same as a law passed by Congress. It isn't.
Courts have already "stayed" or blocked several items on the Donald Trump’s executive orders list. For instance, the order to withhold foreign aid (EO 14167) was partly blocked by the Supreme Court. The "extreme vetting" orders and some of the more aggressive tariff hikes have also ended up in front of judges.
Executive orders are basically instructions to federal agencies. They can change how a law is enforced, but they can't create money that Congress hasn't authorized. That's why you see so many "funding freezes"—the President can't always spend money he wants, but he can sure try to stop the money that's already out there.
Actionable Insights for Navigating the Changes
The landscape is shifting fast. If you're a business owner or just someone trying to keep your budget straight, here are a few things to watch:
- Monitor the Tariff Lists: If you import anything—from fertilizers to electronics—the costs are in flux. The "Kuala Lumpur Joint Arrangement" with China in late 2025 actually reduced some tariffs from 20% to 10%, showing that these numbers aren't set in stone.
- Watch the Courts: Many of these orders are being litigated. Just because an order is signed doesn't mean it's being implemented in your state. Check for "injunctions" that might pause the rules.
- Federal Contracting: If you do business with the government, the "Prioritizing the Warfighter" order (January 2026) means the U.S. is looking to crack down on contractors who prioritize stock buybacks over performance. You'll need to show real results to keep those contracts.
The bottom line is that the 2025-2026 executive order list is a roadmap for a much smaller, more centralized federal government. Whether it's "draining the swamp" or "unleashing energy," the goal is a total departure from the status quo. Keep your eyes on the Federal Register; that's where the real fine print lives.