Speaker Johnson: GOP Will Attempt To Codify Trump Orders Into Law
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Thursday that congressional Republicans intend to enshrine former President Donald Trump’s executive orders into law to prevent future administrations from “unwinding” his policies.
In his first four weeks in office, Trump issued 108 executive actions, including 73 executive orders, 23 proclamations, and 12 memorandums. Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Johnson shared that Congress plans to systematically codify these orders to protect them from being overturned by future presidents.
“The president [has] 300 executive actions already, and we’re going to codify so much of what he’s doing so the next team can’t unwind it,” Johnson stated, drawing applause from the audience.
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On his inauguration day, Trump signed 11 executive orders to address the border crisis. These measures included declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, ending birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants, reinstating the Remain in Mexico policy, and halting catch and release practices.
Further executive orders eliminated diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the Office of Management and Budget, mandated that federal agencies recognize only two sexes, and withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Accord, as reported by the Daily Wire.
Trump also established the Department of Government Efficiency to cut wasteful spending by reducing the size of federal agencies. On Monday, the newly formed department reported that it had saved the government $55 million, dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development for misallocating funds toward left-wing causes, and terminated four Federal Employment Management Agency employees after an investigation revealed they had used $59 million in taxpayer funds to house illegal immigrants in luxury hotels.
Additionally, the president signed an executive order on February 5 prohibiting men from competing in women’s sports. This move reversed a Department of Education policy from former President Joe Biden’s administration that sought to expand Title IX protections to include gender identity-based discrimination.
Although much of Trump’s agenda has been implemented, Democrat-aligned groups have challenged several policies in court, achieving some success. These legal battles prompted Vice President JD Vance to caution “rogue” federal judges whom he believes are exceeding their authority by interfering with executive powers.
To date, the courts have blocked Trump’s efforts to eliminate birthright citizenship, freeze federal grants, and restructure federal agencies.
Over the weekend, the administration faced another legal hurdle when a federal judge issued a temporary restriction on Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, preventing it from accessing the Treasury Department’s extensive federal payment system, which contains sensitive information on millions of Americans, according to ABC News.
In response, Musk accused the judge of corruption and demanded his immediate removal from office.
Vance has also taken a strong stance against judges whom he believes are overstepping their constitutional role.
“If a judge tried to tell a general how to conduct a military operation, that would be illegal. If a judge tried to command the attorney general in how to use her discretion as a prosecutor, that’s also illegal. Judges aren’t allowed to control the executive’s legitimate power,” Vance asserted over the weekend, as reported by ABC.
When asked on Sunday about Vance’s remarks and the legal setbacks, Trump expressed his frustration.
“When a president can’t look for fraud and waste and abuse, we don’t have a country anymore,” he told reporters. “So, we’re very disappointed, but with the judges that would make such a ruling. But we have a long way to go.”
“No judge should, frankly, be allowed to make that kind of a decision,” the president added. “It’s a disgrace.”
Republicans remain largely united behind Trump’s policies. Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton condemned the judge who blocked DOGE’s access to Treasury data, labeling him an “outlaw.” Meanwhile, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan defended Musk’s actions on CNN Sunday, arguing that he was simply “carrying out the will” of the president who appointed him.