Burns Law Library Q&A

U.S. Presidents issue executive orders, abbreviated "E.O." on a variety of subjects.  Executive orders relate to the conduct of government business or to the organization of executive agencies. Executive orders can be amended or revoked by later executive orders.

After being issued by the President, each E.O. is assigned a chronological number.  For example, E.O. 12333, United States Intelligence Activities, was signed by President Ronald Reagan on December 8, 1981. It has been amended three times since then, and the amended version is available in the Intelligence Community Legal Reference Book. The book is available in our collection at KF4850 .A3 2016 on SL3 and on the Office of the Director of National Intelligence's site.

For additional information, consult the Library's Presidential Documents guide.