Trump stands out compared with other recent presidents on early-term executive orders
Executive orders, by first year of 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 stands out compared with other recent presidents on early-term executive orders
Executive orders, by first year of presidential term
| President | Current term executive orders | Year 1 executive orders |
|---|---|---|
| Trump (2025) | 221 | |
| Biden (2021) | 77 | |
| Trump (2017) | 58 | |
| Obama (2013) | 21 | |
| Obama (2009) | 41 | |
| G.W. Bush (2005) | 25 | |
| G.W. Bush (2001) | 56 | |
| Clinton (1997) | 38 | |
| Clinton (1993) | 59 | |
| H.W. Bush (1989) | 33 | |
| Reagan (1985) | 46 | |
| Reagan (1981) | 53 | |
| Carter (1977) | 68 | |
| Ford (1974)* | 77 | |
| Nixon (1973) | 65 | |
| Nixon (1969) | 53 | |
| Johnson (1965) | 75 | |
| Johnson (1963)* | 61 | |
| Kennedy (1961) | 75 | |
| Eisenhower (1957) | 53 | |
| Eisenhower (1953) | 83 | |
| Truman (1949) | 66 | |
| Truman (1945)* | 178 | |
| F.D. Roosevelt (1945) | 22 | |
| F.D. Roosevelt (1941) | 387 | |
| F.D. Roosevelt (1937) | 258 |
* 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
