As the tsunami of executive orders continues to roar out of Washington, D.C. (President Donald Trump has issued 147 of them so far, as of May 8, according to the Federal Register), it’s becoming harder to sort out what’s real and what isn’t.
Some of these orders are ridiculous, such as the mandate to increase the flow of water in shower heads, or ending the “forced use” of paper straws. Why should the federal government be involved in such little matters?
Others are confusing, such as the establishment of a Religious Liberty Commission. Don’t we already have the freedom to worship (or not) as we like in this country? Or is this a way to deny others (read: Muslims) the right to practice their own faith? Have Catholic parents been denied the right to send their kids to Immaculate Conception or St. Charles Borromeo?
And then there’s the requirement for over-the-road truckers to be able to read and communicate in English. It’s been our experience that road signs are really pictographs and easy to comprehend, whether you’re in Minnesota, Australia or Europe. Or is this an attempt to block Mexican truckers from entering the country? What happens when a French-speaking trucker drives down from Quebec? (Unlikely, given the tariffs that have been slapped on Canada, but you get the drift.)
And how about going after sanctuary cities? We thought Trump was for local self-government. Attempting to “punish” cities for their policies seems like over-governing. What’s next? Changing the shape of stop signs?
How much of this is driven by a victim complex? Or paranoia?
Some of the executive orders do make sense, although one wonders if it’s necessary to make a proclamation.
One such order is “Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future.” We do need more people working in trades, although the mandate to get a million apprentices into the pipeline by August seems unrealistic. Interestingly, the President does mention funding an initiative to encourage enrollment in trade schools.
While Trump has undoubtedly set a record for most executive orders in a short time span, his predecessors issued plenty, too. Joe Biden issued 162 executive orders during his four years in office. Barack Obama published 277 during his eight-year term. George W. Bush, the last two-term Republican president, 291.
The growing use of executive orders is unfortunate. Perhaps if members of Congress would learn to get along better and represent their constituents instead of trying to force their own agendas or keep their party in power, they wouldn’t be necessary. And the President could stay in his lane.
You can see the full, up-to-date list of executive orders at https://www.federalregister.gov/presidential-documents/executive-orders/donald-trump/2025.
A Minnesota goodbye
At a recent meeting with Northeaster staffers, I joked that eight and a half years seems to be my typical length of employment at any one organization. I’ve reached that mark. This is my last issue as editor of the Northeaster.
It’s been a fun ride. I got to meet interesting people, learn more about the area I grew up in and share my discoveries with you. But I’m well past what human resources people used to call the “normal age of retirement.” It’s time to take life at an easier pace.
You may see my byline occasionally; I have the writing bug, and I can’t stop writing. You just won’t see it as often. Think of it as a drawn-out “Minnesota goodbye.”
My successor is Michael McKinney. He’s part of what I would call a new generation of Northeasters — young, a recent transplant, not as familiar with the area, but eager to learn more about his new home. We’ve worked together on the last two issues of the paper, and I know he’ll do a great job.
See you around the neighborhood!
– Cynthia Sowden