Key Executive Orders to Know for American Presidency

Executive Orders are powerful tools used by U.S. Presidents to enact significant changes quickly. From wartime internment to civil rights advancements, these orders reflect the evolving role of the presidency in shaping American society and policy.

1. Executive Order 9066 (Japanese-American internment)

   • Issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942 during World War II.
   • Authorized the forced relocation and internment of approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans, two-thirds of whom were U.S. citizens.
   • Justified by national security concerns, despite a lack of evidence of disloyalty among Japanese Americans.
   • Led to significant legal and social repercussions, including reparations and formal apologies decades later.

2. Executive Order 10730 (Desegregation of Little Rock schools)

   • Issued by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1957 in response to the Little Rock Nine crisis.
   • Sent federal troops to enforce the integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.
   • Highlighted the federal government's role in enforcing civil rights and desegregation following the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision.
   • Marked a significant moment in the civil rights movement, demonstrating federal commitment to desegregation.

3. Executive Order 11246 (Affirmative Action)

   • Issued by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965.
   • Required federal contractors to take affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunities for all, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
   • Established guidelines for the implementation of affirmative action policies in hiring and promotion.
   • Aimed to address systemic discrimination and promote diversity in the workplace.

4. Executive Order 13769 (Travel Ban)

   • Issued by President Donald Trump in January 2017.
   • Temporarily banned entry into the U.S. for citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries.
   • Sparked widespread protests and legal challenges, raising concerns about discrimination and national security.
   • Revised multiple times, leading to a Supreme Court ruling that upheld a modified version of the ban.

5. Executive Order 9981 (Desegregation of the military)

   • Issued by President Harry S. Truman in 1948.
   • Ended racial segregation in the U.S. Armed Forces, promoting equality and integration.
   • Established the President's Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the Armed Services.
   • Paved the way for greater civil rights advancements in the military and society at large.

6. Executive Order 12291 (Regulatory review)

   • Issued by President Ronald Reagan in 1981.
   • Required federal agencies to assess the costs and benefits of proposed regulations.
   • Established the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) to oversee regulatory processes.
   • Aimed to reduce regulatory burdens and promote economic efficiency.

7. Executive Order 13228 (Homeland Security)

   • Issued by President George W. Bush in 2001 following the September 11 attacks.
   • Created the Office of Homeland Security to coordinate national efforts to protect against terrorist threats.
   • Led to the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security in 2003.
   • Focused on enhancing domestic security and emergency preparedness.

8. Executive Order 13658 (Federal minimum wage increase)

   • Issued by President Barack Obama in 2014.
   • Raised the minimum wage for federal contractors to $10.10 per hour, with future increases tied to inflation.
   • Aimed to improve the standard of living for low-wage workers and reduce poverty.
   • Part of a broader effort to address income inequality and promote fair wages.

9. Executive Order 13990 (Rejoining Paris Climate Agreement)

   • Issued by President Joe Biden in January 2021.
   • Reversed the previous administration's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change.
   • Signaled a renewed commitment to international cooperation on climate issues and environmental protection.
   • Aimed to address climate change through ambitious emissions reduction targets and sustainable practices.

10. Executive Order 6102 (Gold confiscation)

    • Issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 during the Great Depression.
    • Required U.S. citizens to exchange their gold coins, gold bullion, and gold certificates for U.S. dollars.
    • Aimed to stabilize the economy and prevent hoarding of gold, which was seen as a barrier to economic recovery.
    • Marked a significant shift in monetary policy and government control over currency.