Pew Research: Trump’s Executive Orders Hit Historic Highs — What It Means for Democracy

Less than a year into his second term, President Trump has already issued more executive orders (221) than he did during his entire first four years in office — a pace not seen since World War II.

According to Pew Research Center, Trump’s orders this term span immigration, energy, foreign policy, and government operations. But many are facing legal challenges, raising urgent questions about the limits of presidential power and the erosion of checks and balances.

To put this in context:

• FDR still holds the record (1,112 executive orders in his second term during wartime).

• But no president since 1945 has signed over 100 executive orders in the first year of a term — until now. Trump has already surpassed that, issuing 26 orders on Day One alone.

• Many Americans are uneasy: 51% say Trump is using executive orders too much, including 80% of Democrats and even 23% of Republicans.

While executive orders have long been a tool for presidents, their rapid, unilateral use — especially to impose tariffs, pardon Jan. 6 rioters, or reverse climate rules — underscores a growing reliance on executive power over bipartisan legislation.

For civic-minded voters, especially women concerned with accountability and democracy, the trend raises key questions:
Who is being served by this surge in executive actions? What happens to transparency and shared governance when one man can change policy with the stroke of a pen?

🔍 For more, explore Pew’s full report.