During the first week of his second term in office, President Donald Trump made history by issuing an unprecedented 36 executive orders. Executive orders are official directives issued by the President of the United States that allow the president to direct government operations and implement policy decisions without the need for congressional approval. These orders can rapidly shape policy and have far-reaching consequences, impacting communities and individuals across the nation. However, Congress still has tools at its disposal—through legislation, oversight, and public pressure—to challenge or limit the impact of executive actions. Further, courts can also review these orders to determine their legality and constitutionality, to ensure a system of checks and balances remains in place.
At the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), we are closely monitoring a series of executive orders issued by the Trump Administration that we believe will have profound implications for Black Americans. These orders target critical areas such as economic opportunity, education, criminal justice, health equity, and civil rights protections. We have selected these executive orders because they pose serious threats to the progress and well-being of Black communities, risk exacerbating systemic inequities, and will undermine hard-won gains.