Here are the executive actions Biden signed in his first 100 days

By Christopher Hickey, Curt Merrill, Richard J. Chang, Kate Sullivan, Janie Boschma and Sean O’Key, CNN
Updated April 30, 2021

President Joe Biden signed a flurry of executive actions in his first 100 days in office, primarily aimed at curbing the coronavirus pandemic and dismantling many of former President Donald Trump’s policies.

The executive actions include halting funding for the construction of Trump’s border wall, reversing Trump’s travel ban targeting largely Muslim countries, imposing a mask mandate on federal property, ramping up vaccination supplies, canceling the Keystone XL pipeline, ending federal use of private prisons and reversing Trump’s ban on transgender Americans joining the military.

In his first 100 days in office, Biden signed more than 60 executive actions, 24 of which are direct reversals of Trump’s policies.

Biden has defended the number as necessary to undo what he considers “bad policy” inherited from Trump, especially on immigration.

To date, 10 of his 12 actions on immigration are reversals of Trump’s policies.

“And I want to make it clear — there’s a lot of talk, with good reason, about the number of executive orders that I have signed — I’m not making new law; I’m eliminating bad policy,” Biden said as he signed a series of actions on immigration from the Oval Office on February 2. “What I’m doing is taking on the issues that — 99% of them — that the president, the last president of the United States, issued executive orders I felt were very counterproductive to our security, counterproductive to who we are as a country, particularly in the area of immigration.”

See Biden’s first 100 days of executive actions below.

Source: The White House, Federal Register

Date Topic Type Reversal Summary
04/27/2021 labor Executive Order no

Raises the minimum wage of federal contract workers to $15 an hour in early 2022, up from the current $10.95. Eliminates the tipped minimum wage, $7.65 an hour, by 2024. Requires a $15 minimum wage for federal contract workers with disabilities.

04/16/2021 immigration Memo yes

Reverses the Trump policy banning refugees from key regions and enables flights from those regions to begin within days. Declares that the 15,000 annual refugee cap set by Trump will be raised to a number to be determined by May 15.

04/15/2021 national security Executive Order no

Imposes sanctions and diplomatic expulsions on Russia in response to the country’s interference in the 2020 US election and the SolarWinds cyberattack; formally names the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service as the force behind SolarWinds; blocks US financial institutions from trading in Russian bonds

04/09/2021 other Executive Order no

Forms the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States, which is intended to provide an analysis of the principal arguments for and against Supreme Court reform.

04/01/2021 other Executive Order yes

Revokes a Trump executive order that authorized sanctions on International Criminal Court officials

03/08/2021 equity Executive Order no

Establishes a White House Gender Policy Council, which will submit a government-wide plan within 200 days with recommendations to “advance gender equity and equality in the United States and around the world”

03/08/2021 equity Executive Order no

Reaffirms as a policy of the Biden administration that “all students should be guaranteed an educational environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex, including discrimination in the form of sexual harassment, which encompasses sexual violence, and including discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.” Directs the education secretary to review all department policies and actions to identify those that may be inconsistent with the stated policy.

03/07/2021 equity Executive Order no

Directs each agency to evaluate and submit a strategic plan within 200 days on opportunities to promote and expand access to voter registration and participation; directs the General Services Administration to modernize and improve vote.gov; calls for strategies to expand policies allowing federal employees time off to vote and to expand employees’ ability to serve as nonpartisan poll workers or observers; requires a review of barriers to voting for individuals with disabilities and of the Federal Voter Registration Form to ensure it is accessible; requires the defense secretary to review the feasibility of providing an online system for military personnel serving abroad to manage their voter registration and request absentee ballots; directs the attorney general to require jails to provide educational materials on voting and voter registration; establishes the Interagency Steering Group on Native American Voting Rights

02/24/2021 economy Executive Order yes

Revokes a series of seven Trump administration actions that had eased regulatory requirements, as well as actions that called for withholding funding from cities for allowing protests in support of Black Lives Matter, that imposed stricter work requirements to be eligible for federal welfare and that promoted “beautiful federal civic architecture”

02/24/2021 immigration Proclamation yes

Revokes a Trump-era proclamation that limited legal immigration during the Covid-19 pandemic

02/24/2021 national security Executive Order no

Launches a 100-day review of US supply chains for pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, semiconductors and large-capacity batteries, directing agencies to identify opportunities to secure and invest in those supply chains. It also calls for a year-long review into six sectors: Defense, public health and biological preparedness, information and communications technology, energy, transportation, and agricultural commodities and food preparation

02/17/2021 labor Executive Order yes

Revokes a Trump administration order creating an industry-led apprenticeship program

02/14/2021 other Executive Order no

Establishes a White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships to coordinate providing community services in partnership with federal, state and local governments and with other private organizations

02/11/2021 national security Executive Order no

Sanctions Myanmar military leaders, blocking property ownership in the United States by any foreign person associated with those leaders, their business interests or those undermining democracy or human rights in Myanmar

02/04/2021 immigration Executive Order yes

Expands the United States Refugee Admissions Program and rescinds Trump policies that limited refugee admissions and required additional vetting

02/04/2021 immigration Memo yes

Directs relevant agencies to ensure LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers have equal access to protections, requires the Department of State to lead a standing group to respond quickly to international LGBTQI+ human rights abuses and to report annually to Congress on global LGBTQI+ abuses, directs agencies to review Trump administration policies and rescind those that are inconsistent with this memo within 100 days

02/04/2021 national security Memo no

Establishes an interagency working group to propose improvements for recruiting, retaining and supporting national security professions

02/04/2021 national security Memo no

Outlines the structure of the National Security Council, incorporates more regular participation from Cabinet officials focused on domestic policy that influences national security

02/02/2021 immigration Executive Order yes

Revokes Trump’s order justifying separating families at the border and creates a task force that recommends steps to Biden to reunite separated families

02/02/2021 immigration Executive Order yes

Aims to address economic and political causes of migration, works with organizations to provide protection to asylum seekers and ensures Central American asylum seekers have legal access to the United States. Rescinds Trump administration policies and guidelines and also initiates a review of policies “that have effectively closed the U.S. border to asylum seekers”

02/02/2021 immigration Executive Order yes

Rescinds Trump’s memo requiring immigrants to repay the government if they receive public benefits. Elevates the role of the executive branch in promoting immigrant integration and inclusion, including reestablishing a Task Force on New Americans. Requires agencies to review immigration regulations and policies

02/02/2021 coronavirus Memo no

Extends the timeline from his Jan. 21 memo, which directed FEMA to reimburse states to fully cover the cost for National Guard personnel and emergency supplies. Now states will also be reimbursed for emergency purchases made since the beginning of the pandemic

02/01/2021 economy Proclamation yes

Reinstates tariffs applied under the Trump administration to aluminum imports from the United Arab Emirates, citing the need for domestic production of aluminum for national security and reviving industry

01/28/2021 health care Executive Order no

Reopens enrollment on HealthCare.gov from Feb. 15 through May 15, and directs federal agencies to reexamine policies that may reduce or undermine access to the Affordable Care Act

01/28/2021 health care Memo yes

Rescinds the “Mexico City Policy,” a ban on US government funding for foreign nonprofits that perform or promote abortions

01/27/2021 environment Executive Order no

Elevates climate change as an essential element of US foreign policy and national security and kicks off development of a new emissions reduction target, which will be announced by April 22

01/27/2021 environment Executive Order no

Reestablishes the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology

01/27/2021 environment Memo no

Charges the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy with responsibility for ensuring scientific integrity across federal agencies

01/26/2021 equity Memo no

Directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to review the Trump administration’s regulatory actions for their effects on fair housing and to then “take steps necessary” to comply with the Fair Housing Act

01/26/2021 equity Executive Order no

Directs the attorney general not to renew federal contracts with private prisons

01/26/2021 equity Memo no

Recommits federal agencies to “engage in regular, robust and meaningful consultation with Tribal governments

01/26/2021 equity Memo no

Acknowledges the rise in discrimination against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the past year, directing the Department of Health and Human Services to consider issuing guidance on best practices to improve “cultural competency, language access and sensitivity toward AAPIs” in the federal government’s Covid-19 response, and directs the Department of Justice to partner with AAPI communities to prevent hate crimes and harassment

01/25/2021 economy Executive Order no

Strengthens Buy American rules by closing loopholes and reducing waivers granted on federal purchases of domestic goods

01/25/2021 coronavirus Proclamation yes

Reinstates Covid-19 travel restrictions for individuals traveling to the United States from the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa

01/25/2021 equity Executive Order yes

Reverses the Trump administration’s ban on transgender Americans joining the military

01/22/2021 economy Executive Order yes

Restores collective bargaining power and worker protections for federal workers, and lays the foundation for $15 minimum wage

01/22/2021 economy Executive Order no

Calls for assistance to those who are struggling to buy food, missed out on stimulus checks or are unemployed

01/21/2021 coronavirus Executive Order no

Accelerates manufacturing and delivery of supplies for vaccination, testing and Personal Protective Equipment

01/21/2021 coronavirus Memo no

Directs FEMA to expand reimbursement to states to fully cover the cost for National Guard personnel and emergency supplies

01/21/2021 coronavirus Executive Order no

Establishes the Pandemic Testing Board to expand US coronavirus testing capacity

01/21/2021 coronavirus Executive Order no

Establishes a preclinical program to boost development of therapeutics in response to pandemic threats

01/21/2021 coronavirus Executive Order no

Enhances the nation’s collection, production, sharing and analysis of coronavirus data

01/21/2021 coronavirus Executive Order no

Directs the Department of Education and HHS to provide guidance for safely reopening and operating schools, childcare providers and institutions of higher education

01/21/2021 coronavirus Executive Order no

Calls on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to release clear guidance on Covid-19, decide whether to establish emergency temporary standards, and directs OSHA to enforce worker health and safety requirements

01/21/2021 coronavirus Executive Order no

Requires mask wearing in airports and on certain modes of transportation, including many trains, airplanes, maritime vessels and intercity buses. International travelers must provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test prior to coming to the US

01/21/2021 coronavirus Executive Order no

Creates the Covid-19 Health Equity Task Force to help ensure an equitable pandemic response and recovery

01/21/2021 coronavirus Memo no

Promotes restoring America’s leadership, supports the international pandemic response effort, promotes resilience for future threats and advance global health security and the Global Health Security Agenda

01/20/2021 coronavirus Executive Order no

Launches a “100 Days Masking Challenge” asking Americans to wear masks for 100 days. Requires masks and physical distancing in federal buildings, on federal lands and by government contractors, and urges states and local governments to do the same.

01/20/2021 coronavirus Other yes

Stops the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization, with Dr. Anthony Fauci becoming the head of the delegation to the WHO

01/20/2021 coronavirus Executive Order no

Creates the position of Covid-19 Response Coordinator, reporting directly to Biden and managing efforts to produce and distribute vaccines and medical equipment

01/20/2021 economy Directive no

Extends the existing nationwide moratorium on evictions and foreclosures until at least March 31

01/20/2021 economy Directive no

Extends the existing pause on student loan payments and interest for Americans with federal student loans until at least September 30

01/20/2021 environment Other yes

Rejoins the Paris climate accord, a process that will take 30 days

01/20/2021 environment Executive Order yes

Cancels the Keystone XL pipeline and directs agencies to review and reverse more than 100 Trump actions on the environment

01/20/2021 equity Executive Order yes

Rescinds the Trump administration’s 1776 Commission, directs agencies to review their actions to ensure racial equity

01/20/2021 equity Executive Order no

Prevents workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity

01/20/2021 census Executive Order yes

Requires non-citizens to be included in the Census and apportionment of congressional representatives

01/20/2021 immigration Memo no

Fortifies DACA after Trump’s efforts to undo protections for undocumented people brought into the country as children

01/20/2021 immigration Proclamation yes

Reverses the Trump administration’s restrictions on US entry for passport holders from seven Muslim-majority countries

01/20/2021 immigration Executive Order yes

Undoes Trump’s expansion of immigration enforcement within the United States

01/20/2021 immigration Proclamation yes

Halts construction of the border wall by terminating the national emergency declaration used to fund it

01/20/2021 immigration Memo no

Extends deferrals of deportation and work authorizations for Liberians with a safe haven in the United States until June 30, 2022

01/20/2021 ethics Executive Order no

Requires executive branch appointees to sign an ethics pledge barring them from acting in personal interest and requiring them to uphold the independence of the Department of Justice

01/20/2021 regulation Memo, Executive Order yes

Directs OMB director to develop recommendations to modernize regulatory review and undoes Trump’s regulatory approval process

This story has been updated to remove one action that was not signed and is not formally an executive action.