Who’s signed the most Executive Orders?

As one of the most common presidential documents in the U.S.
government, an Executive Order is a signed directive from
the president that requires no approval from Congress

Produced by executive branch of
U.S. government, Executive Orders can
be seen as controversial legal documents as they
are in effect “instant law”. Since George Washington
took office in 1789, more than 14,000 have been issued

EXECUTIVE ORDERS BY PRESIDENT (1961-2025)*

Democrat
Republican

Average per year

Total during term in office

Years in office

Joe Biden*
Donald Trump
Barack Obama
George W. Bush
Bill Clinton
George Bush
Ronald Reagan
Jimmy Carter
Gerald Ford
Richard Nixon
Lyndon B. Johnson
John F. Kennedy

3.99
4.00
8.00
8.00
8.00
4.00
8.00
4.00
2.45
5.55
5.17
2.84

42
55
35
36
46
42
48
80
69
62
63
75

167
220
276
291
364
166
381
320
169
346
325
214

*To Jan 15, 2025
Sources: The American Presidency Project, American Bar Association
Picture: Getty
© GRAPHIC NEWS