Trump has already issued more executive orders this year than he did in his entire first term
Executive orders, by presidential term
* Harry Truman’s first term began in April 1945, following the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Similarly, Lyndon B. Johnson’s first term began in November 1963, following the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Gerald Ford’s term began in August 1974, following Richard Nixon’s resignation.
Note: Data as of Dec. 15, 2025. Executive orders before 1937 were often not clearly numbered or categorized and are thus excluded from this analysis.
Note: Data as of Dec. 15, 2025. Executive orders before 1937 were often not clearly numbered or categorized and are thus excluded from this analysis.
Source: “The Document Archive,” American Presidency Project.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Trump has already issued more executive orders this year than he did in his entire first term
Executive orders, by presidential term
| President | Executive order in current term | Total executive orders by term |
|---|---|---|
| Trump (2025-present) | 221 | |
| Biden (2021-2025) | 162 | |
| Trump (2017-2021) | 220 | |
| Obama (2013-2017) | 129 | |
| Obama (2009-2013) | 147 | |
| G.W. Bush (2005-2009) | 118 | |
| G.W. Bush (2001-2005) | 173 | |
| Clinton (1997-2001) | 164 | |
| Clinton (1993-1997) | 200 | |
| H.W. Bush (1989-1993) | 166 | |
| Reagan (1985-1989) | 168 | |
| Reagan (1981-1985) | 213 | |
| Carter (1977-1981) | 320 | |
| Ford (1974-1977)* | 169 | |
| Nixon (1973-1974) | 99 | |
| Nixon (1969-1973) | 247 | |
| Johnson (1965-1969) | 260 | |
| Johnson (1963-1965)* | 65 | |
| Kennedy (1961-1963) | 214 | |
| Eisenhower (1957-1961) | 218 | |
| Eisenhower (1953-1957) | 266 | |
| Truman (1949-1953) | 403 | |
| Truman (1945-1949)* | 504 | |
| F.D. Roosevelt (1945) | 22 | |
| F.D. Roosevelt (1941-1945) | 884 | |
| F.D. Roosevelt (1937-1941) | 1112 |
* Harry Truman’s first term began in April 1945, following the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Similarly, Lyndon B. Johnson’s first term began in November 1963, following the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Gerald Ford’s term began in August 1974, following Richard Nixon’s resignation.
Note: Data as of Dec. 15, 2025. Executive orders before 1937 were often not clearly numbered or categorized and are thus excluded from this analysis.
Note: Data as of Dec. 15, 2025. Executive orders before 1937 were often not clearly numbered or categorized and are thus excluded from this analysis.
Source: “The Document Archive,” American Presidency Project.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
