President Biden relied heavily on the executive’s actions in his first 10 days in office, far surpassing his predecessors as he worked to quickly dismantle the Trump administration’s policies and verify key campaign promises.
Biden is unlikely to keep up with the executive’s orders and has already been controlled in some corners because he relied on the pen after committing to unity and bipartisanship. However, the initial wave of signatures reflects a new reality in which presidents are increasingly moving towards unilateral action in the face of the congressional deadlock.
“He will use the levers that every president in history has used: executive actions,” the White House press secretary said. Jen Psaki
Jen PsakiPsaki expects DHS Mayorkas candidate to lead working group to reunite separated families Overnight Defense: FEMA calls on Pentagon to help with vaccinations | US says Taliban “failed to meet commitments” | Army investigates White House chaplain Fort Hood outraged by decision to release man convicted of Daniel Pearl murder MORE he said at a briefing on Thursday. “But he also thinks it’s important to work with Congress, not just one party – both sides – to get things done.”
Experts have warned, however, that executive actions can be challenged in court, while others can be easily overturned by a successor to another party. A first example was posted this week when Biden overturned Mexico City’s so-called policy of requiring foreign groups receiving family planning assistance from the US government to agree not to provide for or promote abortions.
The policy was first announced by President Reagan in 1984 and was repeatedly reversed by Democratic presidents and reinstated by then-Republican presidents.
“There is no substitute for legislation,” said Paul Light, a public service professor at New York University. “You cannot build an administration on the orders of the executive. They are facilitators, they are really sending a strong message, but you need to push Congress to come with you. ”
Biden signed 28 executive orders in his first 10 days in office, at a furious pace compared to other presidents in a comparable period of time. Former President Trump
Donald Trump “QAnon Shaman” is willing to testify in the indictment process, the lawyer says Boebert is confronting the Parkland survivor on Twitter: “Rest your keyboard, baby” Overnight Defense: FEMA asks Pentagon to help with vaccinations | US says Taliban “failed to meet commitments” | The military is investigating Chaplain Fort Hood MORE signed seven executive orders in January 2017, former President Obama signed nine in January 2009, and former President George W. Bush signed two in January 2001.
In general, Biden has signed dozens of executive actions, which also include presidential memoranda and proclamations. But the orders are considered the strongest, because they have the force of law and can be litigated in court.
Biden’s team choreographed launches announcing the executive’s orders every day for his first week in office, each time focusing on a different policy area. The approach allowed Biden to verify the campaign’s promises and signal to various constituencies that it had met their problems.
“There are some of them that are more symbolic than substantive, and some of them are pretty weak in terms of revoking Trump’s actions. Even so, the accuracy of the launch is strong compared to the Trump administration, ”said Andy Rudalevige, president of the Department of Government and Legal Studies at Bowdoin College in Maine.
Biden’s actions were largely aimed at untangling Trump’s policies that Democrats consider harmful and harmful. With a stroke of the pen, Biden joined the Paris climate agreement, stopped work on the Keystone XL pipeline, lifted the travel ban on Muslim-majority nations, and repealed Mexico City’s policy.
It has also taken executive action to deliver on key campaign promises. On his first day in office, Biden strengthened the Deferred Childhood Arrival Action (DACA) program and took additional steps to request face masks on federal property and on planes, trains and buses crossing state lines.
The breadth of the orders drew the expected return of the Conservatives, who accused Biden of betraying his message of unity and overriding his presidential authority. However, Republicans were less vocal when Trump issued his own series of executive orders.
But Biden’s movements also received pushes from others. New York Times the drafting committee begged the president to “ease” Thursday’s executive action, describing them as “a flawed substitute for legislation” that ultimately leads to instability as they could be overthrown by the next incumbent.
White House officials have been convinced that Biden’s executive actions do not replace the law, but are intended both to repeal what is characterized as harmful policies in the previous administration and to address urgent and unprecedented crises.
Matt Bennett, co-founder of the center-left Third Way think tank, called the Times editorial “stupid” and said the circumstances Biden is facing are unique because the country is in the midst of four crises: pandemic, economic downturn, climate change and racial injustice.
“If there are things he can do quickly to prevent bleeding in any of these four areas, he will do it, but he is well aware that there are many things he cannot do on his own and will need Congress,” Bennett said. .
While advancing unilaterally on several fronts, Biden is trying to capitalize on his experience and relations in the Senate in negotiations with Congress to pass a coronavirus aid bill and other legislation. The success of these actions could very well define his presidency.
The allies say that Biden’s initial rescue set the tone for action and inclusiveness and contrasted with the previous administration, but acknowledge that he does not want to rely solely on the executive branch.
“For me, what he’s doing is setting the tone: I’ve been the antithesis of the last four years,” said Moe Vela, Obama’s managing director and senior adviser to Biden when he was vice president. “He will not rule only by the executive branch. I think he wanted to set the stage, set the tone and send the message. ”
Light, the NYU professor, said it would be politically important for Biden to make a major legislative achievement this year, especially if he seeks a second term. If he still signs executive action at a similar pace next year, Light said: “This is a sign of an impending catastrophe.”
“He doesn’t want to come out of this year empty-handed with major legislative accomplishments,” Light said.