Fact check: Which specific executive orders have been criticized as presidential overreach in US history?

1. Summary of the results

Executive orders criticized as presidential overreach span multiple administrations, with significant examples from recent presidents:

*Trump-era orders criticized include:

• Attempts to reinterpret the 14th Amendment on birthright citizenship ^[1]
• Creating unauthorized agencies like DOGE and granting them Treasury access ^[1]
• Firing inspectors-general without proper notice ^[1]
• Ordering non-enforcement of Congressional TikTok ban ^[1]

Obama-era controversial orders included:

• Raising federal contractor minimum wage to $10.10 ^[2]
• DACA implementation and deportation halts ^[2]
• Federal employee gender identity protections ^[2]

Clinton administration faced scrutiny* for:

• Establishing national monuments under the Antiquities Act ^[3]
• Labor and environmental executive orders ^[3]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Constitutional scholars offer contrasting perspectives:

• Professor Joel Alicea argues that Trump's executive actions align with historical precedents, comparing them to FDR's use of executive power ^[4]
• UC Law San Francisco professors contend many orders exceeded constitutional limits ^[5]

The debate centers on constitutional boundaries:

• Presidents have broad Article II authority, but with clear limitations ^[6]
• Actions should be judged by constitutional compliance, not political preferences ^[6]
• Executive orders often create tension between executive and legislative branches ^[7]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The question itself might suggest that presidential overreach is objectively definable, when in fact:

• Different stakeholders benefit from different interpretations:
• Opposition parties typically benefit from characterizing executive orders as overreach (evidenced by Republican response to Obama's orders) ^[2]
• Sitting presidents benefit from broad interpretations of executive power ^[7]
• Legal challenges often result in temporary restraining orders or complete blocks ^[1]
• The legitimacy of executive actions depends on specific constitutional and statutory authority, not public or political opinion ^[6]