Executive Orders

​What is an Executive Order?

By Victoria Faculty

We’ve looked at the four main sources of law in the U.S. — Constitutions, Statutes, Case Law, and Administrative Law. These are the foundations of our legal system and explain where most laws come from.

But there’s another way government rules and policies can be created: through executive orders.

Executive orders are powerful tools that presidents use to direct how the government operates and to respond quickly to urgent issues.

They must still follow the Constitution, but unlike statutes or case law, they don’t come from Congress or the courts.

Multiple Choice

Where does a president’s authority to issue executive orders come from?

• The Supreme Court's rulings.
• The U.S. Constitution, Article I.
• Congressional legislation.
• The U.S. Constitution, Article II.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of a significant executive order?

• Passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964

• Brown v. Board of Education decision

• Congress passing the Clean Air Act

• Truman’s order to desegregate the military

Multiple Choice

According to the video, how did Trump’s use of executive orders compare to past presidents?

• Trump did not use executive orders during his presidency.
• Trump's executive orders were less impactful than those of previous presidents.
• Trump issued fewer executive orders than most past presidents.
• He issued broader, more complex, and more powerful orders

Multiple Choice

Who has the final say on whether an executive order is constitutional?

• The Supreme Court of the United States
• The Attorney General
• Congress
• The President of the United States

Multiple Choice

What is one ultimate check on a president who issues too many controversial executive orders?

• The military blocking enforcement

• Impeachment by the House of Representatives
• Elections that replace the president

• State governors refusing to enforce them

Multiple Choice

Why are executive orders often controversial?

• They bypass Congress and concentrate power in the president

• They automatically amend the Constitution

• They bypass Congress and concentrate power in the president

• They are always supported by Congress.