Documents › Executive orders › 14219
Executive Order 14219
Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Deregulatory Initiative
Signed February 19, 2025, printed at 90 FR 10583. 7 sections of substance, 1,222 words.
This order tells agencies to drop rules that go beyond what the law allows. DOGE staff help pick which ones.
Sec. 1. Purpose
It is the policy of my Administration to focus the executive branch's limited enforcement resources on regulations squarely authorized by constitutional Federal statutes, and to commence the deconstruction of the overbearing and burdensome administrative state. Ending Federal overreach and restoring the constitutional separation of powers is a priority of my Administration.
It is the policy of my Administration to focus the executive branch's limited enforcement resources on regulations squarely authorized by constitutional Federal statutes, and to commence the deconstruction of the overbearing and burdensome administrative state. Ending Federal overreach and restoring the constitutional separation of powers is a priority of my Administration.
This is about federal rules. It says only rules backed by law should be enforced. It calls the rule system too heavy.
Sec. 2.
Rescinding Unlawful Regulations and Regulations That Undermine the National Interest. (a) Agency heads shall, in coordination with their DOGE Team Leads and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, initiate a process to review all regulations subject to their sole or joint jurisdiction for consistency with law and Administration policy. Within 60 days of the date of this order, agency heads shall, in consultation with the Attorney General as appropriate, identify the following classes of regulations: (i) unconstitutional regulations and regulations that raise serious constitutional difficulties, such as exceeding the scope of the power vested in the Federal Government by the Constitution; (ii) regulations that are based on unlawful delegations of legislative power; (iii) regulations that are based on anything other than the best reading of the underlying statutory authority
Rescinding Unlawful Regulations and Regulations That Undermine the National Interest. (a) Agency heads shall, in coordination with their DOGE Team Leads and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, initiate a process to review all regulations subject to their sole or joint jurisdiction for consistency with law and Administration policy. Within 60 days of the date of this order, agency heads shall, in consultation with the Attorney General as appropriate, identify the following classes of regulations: (i) unconstitutional regulations and regulations that raise serious constitutional difficulties, such as exceeding the scope of the power vested in the Federal Government by the Constitution; (ii) regulations that are based on unlawful delegations of legislative power; (iii) regulations that are based on anything other than the best reading of the underlying statutory authority
This orders a review of all rules. Agency heads have 60 days. They must sort out rules that may break the law.
Sec. 3. Enforcement Discretion to Ensure Lawful Governance
(a) Subject to their paramount obligation to discharge their legal obligations, protect public safety, and advance the national interest, agencies shall preserve their limited enforcement resources by generally de-prioritizing actions to enforce regulations that are based on anything other than the best reading of a statute and de-prioritizing actions to enforce regulations that go beyond the powers vested in the Federal Government by the Constitution. (b) Agency heads shall determine whether ongoing enforcement of any regulations identified in their regulatory review is compliant with law and Administration policy. To preserve resources and ensure lawful enforcement, agency heads, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, shall, on a case-by-case basis and as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, then direct the termination of all such
(a) Subject to their paramount obligation to discharge their legal obligations, protect public safety, and advance the national interest, agencies shall preserve their limited enforcement resources by generally de-prioritizing actions to enforce regulations that are based on anything other than the best reading of a statute and de-prioritizing actions to enforce regulations that go beyond the powers vested in the Federal Government by the Constitution. (b) Agency heads shall determine whether ongoing enforcement of any regulations identified in their regulatory review is compliant with law and Administration policy. To preserve resources and ensure lawful enforcement, agency heads, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, shall, on a case-by-case basis and as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, then direct the termination of all such
This is about what to enforce. Agencies must put weak rules last. That saves their limited staff.
Sec. 4. Promulgation of New Regulations
Agencies shall continue to follow the processes set out in Executive Order 12866 for submitting regulations for review by OIRA. Additionally, agency heads shall consult with their DOGE Team Leads and the Administrator of OIRA on potential new regulations as soon as practicable. In evaluating potential new regulations, agency heads, DOGE Team Leads, and the Administrator of OIRA shall consider, in addition to the factors set out in Executive Order 12866, the factors set out in section 2(a) of this order.
Agencies shall continue to follow the processes set out in Executive Order 12866 for submitting regulations for review by OIRA. Additionally, agency heads shall consult with their DOGE Team Leads and the Administrator of OIRA on potential new regulations as soon as practicable. In evaluating potential new regulations, agency heads, DOGE Team Leads, and the Administrator of OIRA shall consider, in addition to the factors set out in Executive Order 12866, the factors set out in section 2(a) of this order.
This is about new rules. Agencies must still send them for review. DOGE leads must be asked as well.
Sec. 5. Implementation
The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall issue implementation guidance, as appropriate.
The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall issue implementation guidance, as appropriate.
This is about guidance. The budget office must issue it.
Sec. 6. Definitions
(a) ``Agency'' has the meaning given to it in 44 U.S.C. 3502, except it does not include the Executive Office of the President or its components. (b) ``Agency head'' shall mean the highest-ranking official of an agency, such as the Secretary, Administrator, Chairman, or Director. (c) ``DOGE Team Lead'' shall mean the leader of the DOGE Team at each agency as described in Executive Order 14158 of January 20, 2025 (Establishing and Implementing the President's ``Department of Government Efficiency''). (d) ``Enforcement action'' means all attempts, civil or criminal, by any agency to deprive a private party of life, liberty, or property, or in any way affect a private party's rights or obligations, regardless of the label the agency has historically placed on the action. (e) ``Regulation'' shall have the meaning given to ``regulatory action'' in section 3(e) of Executive Order 12866, and
(a) ``Agency'' has the meaning given to it in 44 U.S.C. 3502, except it does not include the Executive Office of the President or its components. (b) ``Agency head'' shall mean the highest-ranking official of an agency, such as the Secretary, Administrator, Chairman, or Director. (c) ``DOGE Team Lead'' shall mean the leader of the DOGE Team at each agency as described in Executive Order 14158 of January 20, 2025 (Establishing and Implementing the President's ``Department of Government Efficiency''). (d) ``Enforcement action'' means all attempts, civil or criminal, by any agency to deprive a private party of life, liberty, or property, or in any way affect a private party's rights or obligations, regardless of the label the agency has historically placed on the action. (e) ``Regulation'' shall have the meaning given to ``regulatory action'' in section 3(e) of Executive Order 12866, and
This defines the terms. It says what counts as an agency and its head. It also names the DOGE team lead.
Sec. 7. Exemptions
Notwithstanding any other provision in this order, nothing in this order shall apply to: (a) any action related to a military, national security, homeland security, foreign affairs, or immigration-related function of the United States; (b) any matter pertaining to the executive branch's management of its employees; or (c) anything else exempted by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this order, nothing in this order shall apply to: (a) any action related to a military, national security, homeland security, foreign affairs, or immigration-related function of the United States; (b) any matter pertaining to the executive branch's management of its employees; or (c) anything else exempted by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
This says what is left out. Defense and border work are not covered. Staff matters are not covered either.
Sec. 8. Severability
Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.
If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby. [[Page 10585]]
If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby. [[Page 10585]]
This is the standard severability clause. If a court strikes down part of the order, the rest still stands.
Sec. 9. 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, 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, February 19, 2025. [FR Doc. 2025-03138 Filed 2-24-25; 8:45 am] Billing code 3395-F4-P </pre></body> </html>
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, 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, February 19, 2025. [FR Doc. 2025-03138 Filed 2-24-25; 8:45 am] Billing code 3395-F4-P </pre></body> </html>
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.