President Biden relied heavily on executive actions during his first 10 days in office, far surpassing his predecessors as he works to quickly dismantle Trump’s administration policies and verify important campaign promises.
It is unlikely that Biden will keep up with executive orders, and he is already under scrutiny from some quarters for relying on the pen after promising to seek unity and bipartisanship. Even so, the initial wave of hiring reflects a new reality in which presidents are increasingly turning to unilateral action in the face of the impasse in Congress.
“He’s going to use the levers that every president in history has used: executive actions,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki
Jen PsakiPsaki expects DHS-nominated Mayorkas to lead a task force to bring separate families together. Defense at night: FEMA asks the Pentagon for help with vaccination | US says Taliban ‘failed to keep its commitments’ | Army investigates Fort Hood chaplain at White House outraged over decision to free man convicted of Daniel Pearl murder MORE said at a meeting on Thursday. “But he also feels that it is important to work with Congress, and not just with one party – both parties – to get things done.”
Experts warned, however, that executive actions can be challenged in court, while others can easily be reversed by a successor from another party. An excellent example was shown this week when Biden rescinded Mexico City’s so-called political policy, which requires foreign groups receiving family planning help from the United States government to agree not to provide or promote abortions.
The policy was first announced by President Reagan in 1984, and has been repeatedly reversed by Democratic presidents and reinstated by Republican presidents since then.
“There is no substitute for legislation,” said Paul Light, professor of public service at New York University. “You cannot build an administration based on executive orders. They are facilitators, they really send a strong message, but you have to put pressure on Congress to come with you. “
Biden signed 28 executive orders during his first 10 days in office, a furious pace compared to other presidents in a comparable period of time. Old President Trump
Donald Trump’QAnon Shaman ‘wants to testify in impeachment trial, lawyer says Boebert clashes with Parkland survivor on Twitter:’ Give your keyboard a rest, kid ‘Night defense: FEMA asks the Pentagon for help with vaccines | US says Taliban ‘failed to keep its commitments’ | Army investigating Fort Hood chaplain MORE signed seven executive decrees in January 2017, former President Obama signed nine in January 2009 and former President George W. Bush signed two in January 2001.
Overall, Biden signed dozens of executive actions, which also include presidential memos and proclamations. But it is the orders that are considered the most powerful, since they have the force of law and can be litigated in court.
Biden’s team choreographed launches in which he announced executive orders each day during his first week in office, focusing on a different policy area each time. The approach allowed Biden to check campaign promises and signal to different constituents that he was fulfilling his problems.
“There are some of them that are more symbolic than nouns, and some of them are a very accessible fruit in terms of revoking Trump’s actions. Still, the accuracy of the launch is clear compared to the Trump administration, ”said Andy Rudalevige, chairman of the Department of Government and Legal Studies at Bowdoin College in Maine.
Biden’s actions were largely aimed at unraveling Trump’s policies that Democrats consider harmful and damaging. With the stroke of a pen, Biden rejoined the Paris climate agreement, stopped work on the Keystone XL pipeline, reversed the travel ban for Muslim-majority countries and revoked Mexico City’s policy.
He also carried out executive actions that fulfill the main campaign promises. On his first day in office, Biden strengthened the Deferred Actions for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and took additional steps to demand face masks on federal properties and on planes, trains and buses that cross state lines.
The breadth of the orders drew the expected backlash from conservatives, who accused Biden of betraying his message of unity and exceeding his presidential authority. Republicans were notably less expressive when Trump issued his own wave of executive orders, however.
But Biden’s movements were also resisted by others. The New York Times The editorial board implored the president to “slow down” executive actions on Thursday, describing them as an “imperfect substitute for legislation” that would ultimately result in instability because they could be overthrown by the next ruler.
White House officials have been adamant that Biden’s executive actions are not a substitute for legislation, but are intended to undo what they characterize as damaging policies from the previous government and address urgent and unprecedented crises.
Matt Bennett, co-founder of the center-left study group Third Way, called the Times editorial “silly” and said the circumstances that Biden is facing are unique because the country is experiencing four crises: the pandemic, economic recession, climate change and racial injustice.
“If there are things he can take steps to quickly stop bleeding in any of these four areas, he will, but he is very aware that there are many things he cannot do alone and that he will need Congress,” Bennett said.
Although he has advanced unilaterally on several fronts, Biden is trying to leverage his experience in the Senate and his relations in negotiations with Congress to pass a coronavirus relief bill and other legislation in the future. The success of these searches may well define your presidency.
The allies say Biden’s opening salvo set a tone for action and inclusion and contrasted with the previous government, but recognize that he doesn’t want to rely solely on executive power.
“For me, what he is doing is setting the tone: I am the antithesis of the previous four years,” said Moe Vela, director of the Obama administration and senior advisor to Biden when he served as vice president. “He is not going to govern only by the executive branch. I think he wanted to set the stage, set the tone and set the message. “
Light, the NYU professor, said it will be politically important for Biden to register a major legislative achievement this year, especially if he plans to pursue a second term. If he is still signing executive actions at a similar pace next year, said Light, “this is a sign of impending catastrophe.”
“He doesn’t want to leave this year with nothing through a major legislative achievement,” said Light.