If you’ve been watching the news lately, it feels like the Oval Office has been running on high-octane fuel and very little sleep. The sheer volume of paperwork flying off the Resolute Desk is honestly staggering. Since returning to office in January 2025, Donald Trump has leaned into executive power with a speed that makes his first term look like a warm-up act.
We’re talking about a list of executive orders trump signed that has already surpassed 220 in just over a year.
Usually, presidents trickle these out. Not this time. From the minute the inauguration parade ended, the pens were out. It’s not just about the number, though. It’s about how these orders are being used to basically rewire how the federal government functions on a daily basis. Some people call it a "mandate for change," while others are calling their lawyers.
The Day One Blitz: Setting the Tone
The first 24 hours were a whirlwind. Most presidents sign one or two ceremonial things on their first day. Trump signed 22.
The very first one, Executive Order 14147, was titled "Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government." It was a direct shot across the bow at the DOJ and FBI. This wasn't just some vague memo; it set the stage for a massive internal review of how federal investigations are handled.
Right on its heels came EO 14148, which was basically a "delete" button for a huge chunk of Biden-era policies. It's kinda wild how fast one signature can undo four years of regulatory work.
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Then there was the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE). While the internet was busy making memes, Executive Order 14158 actually made it a thing. It’s an advisory body, sure, but it’s been given a long leash to suggest where to cut the fat—or the muscle, depending on who you ask.
Breaking Down the Big Categories
If you look at the list of executive orders trump signed, they mostly fall into a few buckets: immigration, energy, and "de-woking" the bureaucracy.
- Border and Immigration: This is where the heaviest hitters live. EO 14165, "Securing Our Borders," basically restarted the wall construction and brought back the "Remain in Mexico" policy overnight.
- Energy: Trump issued a "National Energy Emergency" (EO 14156) to bypass certain environmental hurdles. The goal? Unleash Alaska and push for "energy dominance."
- Cultural Shifts: A lot of focus has gone into EO 14151, which targets DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs in federal agencies. It’s been a legal lightning rod from the jump.
Why the Second Term List is Different
In 2017, the administration seemed sort of surprised by how the "Deep State" or the existing bureaucracy could slow things down. They’ve clearly learned from that.
The 2025-2026 orders are much more surgical. They don't just say "do this"; they often include specific instructions on who to fire if it doesn't get done. Take EO 14171, which aimed to restore "Accountability to Policy-Influencing Positions." This is the "Schedule F" stuff you might have heard about. It basically makes it easier to reclassify career civil servants as political appointees.
The 2026 Update: What’s Happened Lately?
As we've moved into 2026, the pace hasn't really slowed. Just a few days ago, on January 14, 2026, he signed an order to investigate labor disputes at the Long Island Rail Road. A week before that? EO 14372 was all about "Safeguarding Venezuelan Oil Revenue."
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It’s a mix of huge national shifts and weirdly specific interventions.
The Legal Tug-of-War
You can't talk about the list of executive orders trump signed without talking about the courts. It’s like a game of ping-pong.
For example, EO 14160, which attempted to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented parents, was immediately slapped with an injunction. The 14th Amendment is a pretty big hurdle to clear with just a signature.
Then there’s the "Defending Women from Gender Ideology" order (EO 14168). That one has been tied up in the Ninth Circuit for months. Some parts are being enforced; others are blocked. It’s a mess for federal agencies trying to figure out which rules to follow on any given Tuesday.
The Supreme Court has been the ultimate referee here. In 2025, they ruled in Trump v. CASA that district courts can't just issue nationwide injunctions willy-nilly. This was a massive win for the White House because it means an order might be blocked in California but stay perfectly legal in Texas.
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The Economic Ripple Effect
Business owners are watching this list like hawks. Why? Because an executive order can change your tax liability or your supply chain overnight.
EO 14166 targeted TikTok (again), which sent shockwaves through the tech and advertising world. Meanwhile, orders related to the "America First Trade Policy" have forced companies to rethink where they’re sourcing parts from. It's not just politics; it's the bottom line.
A Quick Reality Check
Honestly, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. Not every order is a world-changing event. Some are just "Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay" (EO 14368) or moving around some committees. But when you look at the total list of executive orders trump signed, the cumulative effect is a government that looks and feels very different than it did two years ago.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re trying to keep up with this, don’t just rely on headlines. Headlines love the drama, but the devil is in the text.
- Check the Federal Register. It’s boring, but it’s the only place where you can see the actual, unedited text of these orders. Search for "Executive Orders" under Donald Trump.
- Watch the "DOGE" reports. If you’re a federal employee or a contractor, the orders coming out of the Department of Government Efficiency are going to dictate your budget for the next year.
- Monitor the Supreme Court docket. Cases like Trump v. Barbara (the birthright citizenship case) will decide if these orders stay on the books or become historical footnotes.
The reality is that executive power is a "use it or lose it" tool. Right now, it’s being used more than almost any other time in modern history. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing usually depends on which side of the political aisle you’re sitting on, but one thing is for sure: the list is only going to get longer.
Keep an eye on the upcoming rulings in the Ninth Circuit and the Supreme Court this spring. Those decisions will likely determine which of the 2025 orders actually have teeth and which ones were just political theater.