Executive Order Priorities under a New Administration

Key Takeaways:

• The potential of a divided government in 2021 will prompt the Biden Administration to rely on executive orders to address top campaign promises.   
• Immigration, healthcare, workforce, and climate change and energy are among the Biden Administration’s top priorities for executive action and Trump-era reversals.

Assuming current election results remain in place, a new administration will descend upon us in January. Once in office, Biden promises to take immediate action to reverse several Trump policies and executive orders. Moreover, he has stated immediate work will begin to address top campaign priorities such as COVID-19, economic recovery, immigration, etc.

With the prospect of a divided Congress and Joe Biden in the White House, heavy reliance on executive orders is likely in order to avert gridlocked legislative actions. Furthermore, new presidents typically want to begin their terms strong, fulfilling campaign promises as soon as possible. Given that, executive orders are the best way to help “make their mark” in the presidency.

The below table outlines the Trump policies and executive orders that are likely on the chopping block under a Biden Administration. The table also contains policies vocalized by the Biden campaign, and that will likely see immediate executive action at the beginning of his term in office.

This table only scratches the surface of the new and reversed executive orders we will see in these categories under a Biden White House. There are also talks of using executive orders to accomplish additional priorities, such as cancelling billions in student loan debt, and repealing Trump’s transgender military ban. Without a doubt, Biden will eagerly leverage executive authorities to pursue policies on the environment, immigration, healthcare, social equality and more.

Stay tuned for an upcoming report by the Federal Market Analysis team on the transition to a new administration, including detailed insight into Biden’s priorities and expected actions once in office.