A President of the United States (POTUS) memorandum is a written communication from the President of the United States to the executive branch departments and agencies of the Federal Government It can also be referred to as a presidential directive or an executive order. A President of the United States memorandum typically addresses issues of national policy, foreign policy, and White House management and organization.
Presidential memorandums are typically used to shape the administration's policy initiatives and to direct executive branch departments and agencies’ implementation of policies and procedures put forward by the President. President of the United States memos can be used to set up task forces tasked with studying or implementing a policy initiative. They can also be used to provide direction to the Executive Office of the President, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), or other Federal agencies.
Examples of President of the United States memorandums include the following:
1. 2011 Presidential Memorandum Establishing the White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity: This order established a task force to look into ways to combat childhood obesity. The task force was charged with developing strategies to promote healthy eating habits, physical activity, and better nutrition in schools and communities.
2. 2012 Presidential Memorandum on Immigration Policy: This order directed the Department of Homeland Security to put in place a plan to strengthen border security, streamline the immigration process, and protect the rights of immigrants.
3. 2016 Presidential Memorandum on Cyber Security: This order directed the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, and the Justice Department to develop a comprehensive strategy to improve cyber security. The order included instructions to increase information sharing, strengthen authentication standards, and encourage public-private partnership to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure.
4. 2017 Presidential Memorandum on Climate Change: This order directed the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a review of the Clean Power Plan, a policy intended to reduce emissions from power plants. It also directed agencies to review their regulations and policies in order to develop strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
5. 2018 Presidential Memorandum on the Establishment of the Interagency Working Group on Space Exploration: This order established a group of federal agencies that would work together to promote the exploration and development of space, with a focus on the Moon, Mars, and other celestial bodies. The group was charged with conducting research and development related to deep space exploration, developing international cooperation agreements, and providing policy recommendations to the president.