With a standalone bill that would allow $2,000 stimulus checks apparently dead in the Senate, could President Donald Trump sign an executive order that would allow the higher direct payments to reach
President Donald Trump has used the power of the executive order for multiple reasons. In 2020 alone, Trump signed executive orders to invoke the Defense Production Act to expedite the manufacture of medical equipment during the coronavirus outbreak, increase protections of historical monuments during demonstrations and dictate a specific style of architecture for federal buildings. However, Trump has not used an executive order to mandate $2,000 direct payments to Americans affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Democrats have called for the latest economic stimulus bill to include $2,000 direct payments instead of the currently approved $600 stimulus checks. Many lawmakers from both sides of the aisle support the idea. Trump has publicly endorsed the concept and challenged lawmakers to approve the higher amount. «$2000 ASAP!» Trump tweeted on Wednesday. The reasoning for Trump’s inaction on signing an executive order to provide the extra money to Americans is simple: he does not wield the authority.
