Executive Order 13896-Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice
Issued 2019-10-28 by Donald J. Trump
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
Executive Order 13896, issued by President Donald J. Trump in October 2019, establishes a "Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice." This Commission is directed to study issues related to law enforcement and the administration of justice. Its role is to review relevant research and expertise, then make recommendations to the Attorney General on actions to prevent, reduce, and
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Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
Executive Order 13896 addresses "Executive Order 13896-Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice". The President's stated reasoning: "enhance public safety and support the well-ordered administration of justice, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1." Executive orders are a long-established exercise of presidential power, used by every President since George Washington. They are grounded in Article II of the Constitution, which vests executive power in the President and directs them to "take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed."
Executive orders cannot create new law, contradict existing federal statutes, or exceed the President's constitutional authority. The legitimacy of any specific order depends on whether it operates within statutory authority Congress has delegated, directs the executive branch on matters within its constitutional purview, or attempts to substitute executive policy for legislative choices. Courts can and do review executive orders for conformity with the Constitution and federal law.
Official Summary
Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2019 Executive Order 13896—Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice October 28, 2019 By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to enhance public safety and support the well-ordered administration of justice, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Purpose. Crime, especially violent crime, denies people their unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Together as a society, we must work to prevent crime from occurring, ensure that those who perpetrate crime face justice, and assist victims in overcoming the effects of crime on their lives. My Administration is focused on reducing crime, and the social and economic problems—including family and neighborhood disintegration—that contribute to criminal behavior. In addition, the continued malign activity of transnational criminal organizations, and the widespread abuse of drugs trafficked by such groups, are challenges that confront our communities and law enforcement in their efforts to keep the American people safe. Rigorous study of crime, including its causal factors, and current law enforcement practices is essential to assessing our current criminal