Executive Order 14147

Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government

Signed January 20, 2025, printed at 90 FR 8235. 3 sections of substance, 826 words.

In plain English

This order is about federal law offices. It says they were used to go after foes. It calls for a review of what they did.

Read it at the Federal Register →

Sec. 1. Purpose

The American people have witnessed the previous administration engage in a systematic campaign against its perceived political opponents, weaponizing the legal force of numerous Federal law enforcement agencies and the Intelligence Community against those perceived political opponents in the form of investigations, prosecutions, civil enforcement actions, and other related actions. These actions appear oriented more toward inflicting political pain than toward pursuing actual justice or legitimate governmental objectives. Many of these activities appear to be inconsistent with the Constitution and/or the laws of the United States, including those activities directed at parents protesting at school board meetings, Americans who spoke out against the previous administration's actions, and other Americans who were simply exercising constitutionally protected rights. The prior

In plain English

This sets out the case the order makes. It says the last team went after people it saw as foes. It says law offices and spy staff were used. That was done through probes, charges and civil suits. It says the aim was pain, not justice. It names parents at school board meetings.

Sec. 2. Policy

It is the policy of the United States to identify and take appropriate action to correct past misconduct by the Federal Government related to the weaponization of law enforcement and the weaponization of the Intelligence Community.

In plain English

This states the policy in one line. Past wrongs by the government must be found. Steps must then be taken to put them right. That covers the use of law offices against people. It also covers the use of spy staff the same way.

Sec. 3. Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government

(a) The Attorney General, in consultation with the heads of all departments and agencies of the United States, shall take appropriate action to review the activities of all departments and agencies exercising civil or criminal enforcement authority of the United States, including, but not limited to, the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Federal Trade Commission, over the last 4 years and identify any instances where a department's or agency's conduct appears to have been contrary to the purposes and policies of this order, and prepare a report to be submitted to the President, through the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and the Counsel to the President, with recommendations for appropriate remedial actions to be taken to fulfill the purposes and policies of this order. (b) The Director of National Intelligence, in consultation with the heads of the

In plain English

This orders a review. The Attorney General must look at four years of cases. That covers every office that brings charges. The Justice Department and the SEC are named. He must find work that runs against this order. A report then goes to the President. The spy chief must do the same.

Sec. 4. General Provisions

Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.

(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, January 20, 2025. [FR Doc. 2025-01900 Filed 1-27-25; 8:45 am] Billing code 3395-F4-P </pre></body> </html>

In plain English

This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.

How this order is quoted

Each section is quoted as the order prints it, under its own number and heading. Executive orders are United States government works and are not under copyright. Long sections are cut at a sentence and the whole order is a click away.