JCPortrait comingOfficial portrait of Jimmy Carter
39th president of the United States · 1977–1981

Jimmy Carter

DemocraticVice president: Walter MondaleServed one term; lost re-election in 1980

Took office after Watergate promising honest government. He brokered the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, created the Energy and Education departments, and deregulated airlines, trucking and railroads. Double-digit inflation, an energy crisis and the 444-day Iran hostage crisis defined his term, and he lost re-election in a landslide.

Debt added
+$287.27billion
$620.43 billion → $907.70 billion (+46%)
Debt-to-GDP, latest
33%
FY1976: 35% → FY1980: 33%
Unemployment
7.5%
Jan 1977: 7.5% → Jan 1981: 7.5%
Average inflation
9.7%a year
1976–1980: 9.7% a year
Executive orders
320
About 80 a year in office
Pardons & commutations
563
534 pardons · 29 commutations
Impeached
No
No · Convicted of a crime: No

The economy, first day to last

Shaded areas show the years in office, with a few years before and after for comparison. Budget years run October to September, so a new president's first budget year starts the fall after they take office.

National debt

June 30, 1976 (end of fiscal 1976): $620.43 billion → Sept 30, 1980 (end of fiscal 1980): $907.70 billion

Daily debt figures don't exist before 1993, so Carter's numbers use the fiscal years closest to his term.

Debt compared with the economy

Debt as a share of GDP. Above 100% means the debt is bigger than a year of everything the country produces.

Deficits and surpluses

Money borrowed each budget year (below the line) or paid down (above).

DeficitSurplus

Unemployment

Jan 1977: 7.5% → Jan 1981: 7.5%. Monthly rates; the chart shows yearly averages.

Inflation

How much prices rose each year (consumer price index).

Cost of living

What everyday prices and paychecks did while in office.

What cost $100 in 1976$144.68 in 1980
Federal minimum wage, 1977 → 1981$2.30 → $3.35

Prices use the consumer price index (MeasuringWorth). The minimum wage is the federal rate set by Congress.

Executive orders

320 orders, numbered 11967–12286.

Orders signed each year

Source: National Archives: Carter executive orders (full list of every order).

Notable orders

Pardon for Vietnam draft evadersEO 11967January 21, 1977

Carried out his first-day proclamation pardoning men who had evaded the draft.

Federal Register
Rules for intelligence agenciesEO 12036January 24, 1978

Set limits on CIA and FBI spying after revelations of abuses, including a ban on assassinations.

Federal Register
Improving government regulationsEO 12044March 23, 1978

Required agencies to analyze the costs of major regulations and write them in plain language.

Federal Register
Inflation guidelines for federal contractorsEO 12092November 1, 1978

Tied federal contracts to his voluntary wage and price guidelines against inflation.

Federal Register
Creating FEMAEO 12148July 20, 1979

Set up the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster response.

Federal Register
Freezing Iranian assetsEO 12170November 14, 1979

Blocked Iranian government property in the U.S. after the embassy in Tehran was seized.

Federal Register
Every executive order 320Search, filter by topic or year, and open any order's full text
  1. EO 11967January 21, 1977Executive Order Relating to Proclamation of Pardon
  2. EO 11968January 31, 1977Withholding of Income or Employment Taxes by Federal Agencies
  3. EO 11969February 2, 1977Administration of the Emergency Natural Gas Act of 1977
  4. EO 11970February 5, 1977Presidential Advisory Board on Ambassadorial Appointments
  5. EO 11971February 11, 1977Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
  6. EO 11972February 14, 1977United States Circuit Judge Nominating Commission
  7. EO 11973February 17, 1977President's Commission on Mental Health
  8. EO 11974February 25, 1977Generalized System of Preferences for Developing Countries
  9. EO 11975March 7, 1977President's Economic Policy Board
  10. EO 11976March 11, 1977Executive Schedule
  11. EO 11977March 14, 1977Public International Organizations
  12. EO 11978March 18, 1977Trade Involving Southern Rhodesia
  13. EO 11979March 28, 1977National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year, 1975
  14. EO 11980March 29, 1977National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year, 1975
  15. EO 11981March 29, 1977Interagency Committee for the Purchase of United States Savings Bonds
  16. EO 11982April 29, 1977Committee on Selection of the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
  17. EO 11983May 4, 1977Executive Schedule
  18. EO 11984May 4, 1977President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board
  19. EO 11985May 13, 1977United States Foreign Intelligence Activities
  20. EO 11986May 20, 1977Executive Schedule
  21. EO 11987May 24, 1977Exotic OrganismsRevoked
  22. EO 11988May 24, 1977Floodplain Management
  23. EO 11989May 24, 1977Off-Road Vehicles on Public LandsRevoked
  24. EO 11990May 24, 1977Protection of Wetlands
  25. EO 11991May 24, 1977Environmental Impact StatementsRevoked
  26. EO 11992May 24, 1977Committee on Selection of Federal Judicial Officers
  27. EO 11993May 24, 1977United States Circuit Judge Nominating Commission
  28. EO 11994June 1, 1977United States Foreign Intelligence Activities
  29. EO 11995June 8, 1977Executive Schedule
  30. EO 11996June 14, 1977The Honorable Tom C. Clark
  31. EO 11997June 22, 1977Withholding of Income or Employment Taxes by Federal Agencies
  32. EO 11998June 27, 1977President's Commission on Military Compensation -
  33. EO 11999June 27, 1977Executive Schedule
  34. EO 12000June 29, 1977Exemption From Mandatory Retirement
  35. EO 12001June 29, 1977Bicentennial Functions
  36. EO 12002July 7, 1977Export Administration Act of 1969Amended
  37. EO 12003July 20, 1977Energy Policy and Conservation
  38. EO 12004July 20, 1977Federal Pay Administration
  39. EO 12005July 23, 1977Generalized System of Preferences for Developing Countries
  40. EO 12006July 29, 1977Exemption From Mandatory Retirement
  41. EO 12007August 22, 1977Presidential Advisory Committees
  42. EO 12008August 25, 1977Presidential Management Intern Program
  43. EO 12009September 13, 1977Department of Energy
  44. EO 12010September 28, 1977Federal Civilian and Military Pay Increases
  45. EO 12011September 30, 1977Exemption From Mandatory Retirement
  46. EO 12012October 3, 1977White House Fellowships
  47. EO 12013October 7, 1977Statistical Policy Functions
  48. EO 12014October 19, 1977President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service
  49. EO 12015October 26, 1977Work-Study Program StudentsSuperseded
  50. EO 12016October 31, 1977Exemption From Mandatory Retirement
  51. EO 12017November 3, 1977American Prisoners of War
  52. EO 12018November 3, 1977American Prisoners of War
  53. EO 12019November 3, 1977Defense Meritorious Service Medal
  54. EO 12020November 8, 1977Educational Benefits for Veterans and Dependents
  55. EO 12021November 30, 1977Civil Service Rules
  56. EO 12022December 1, 1977National Commission for the Review of Antitrust Laws and Procedures
  57. EO 12023December 1, 1977Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System
  58. EO 12024December 1, 1977Advisory Committee Functions
  59. EO 12025December 1, 1977Executive Schedule
  60. EO 12026December 5, 1977Energy Department Employees
  61. EO 12027December 5, 1977Executive Development and Other Personnel Functions
  62. EO 12028December 12, 1977Executive Office of the President
  63. EO 12029December 14, 1977Quetico-Superior Committee
  64. EO 12030December 15, 1977Federal Property Council
  65. EO 12031December 21, 1977Exemption From Mandatory Retirement
  66. EO 12032December 27, 1977Generalized System of Preferences for Developing Countries
  67. EO 12033January 10, 1978International Organizations Entitled to Privileges and Immunities
  68. EO 12034January 10, 1978ACTION Cooperative Volunteers
  69. EO 12035January 20, 1978Executive Schedule
  70. EO 12036January 24, 1978United States Foreign Intelligence Activities
  71. EO 12037January 31, 1978Civil Aeronautics Board
  72. EO 12038February 3, 1978Department of Energy
  73. EO 12039February 24, 1978Science and Technology Policy Functions
  74. EO 12040February 24, 1978Environmental Evaluation Functions
  75. EO 12041February 25, 1978Generalized System of Preferences for Developing Countries
  76. EO 12042March 6, 1978Labor Disputes in the Coal Industry
  77. EO 12043March 7, 1978Civil Service Rules
  78. EO 12044March 23, 1978Improving Government Regulations
  79. EO 12045March 27, 1978Domestic Council, Office of Drug Abuse Policy, and Economic Opportunity Council
  80. EO 12046March 27, 1978Telecommunications Functions
  81. EO 12047March 27, 1978Imported Objects of Cultural Significance
  82. EO 12048March 27, 1978International Communication Agency
  83. EO 12049March 27, 1978Defense Economic Adjustment Programs
  84. EO 12050April 4, 1978National Advisory Committee for Women
  85. EO 12051April 7, 1978Waiver under the Trade Act of 1974 with respect to the Hungarian People's Republic
  86. EO 12052April 7, 1978National Commission for the Review of Antitrust Laws and Procedures
  87. EO 12053April 14, 1978National Commission on the International Year of the Child, 1979
  88. EO 12054April 21, 1978President's Commission on Foreign Language and International Studies
  89. EO 12055April 27, 1978Export of Special Nuclear Material to India
  90. EO 12056April 28, 1978Civil Aeronautics Board
  91. EO 12057May 8, 1978National Advisory Committee for Women
  92. EO 12058May 11, 1978Nuclear Non-Proliferation
  93. EO 12059May 11, 1978United States Circuit Judge Nominating Commission
  94. EO 12060May 15, 1978Executive Schedule
  95. EO 12061May 18, 1978Small Business Conference Commission
  96. EO 12062May 26, 1978President's Commission on the Coal Industry
  97. EO 12063June 5, 1978United States Court of Military Appeals Nominating Commission
  98. EO 12064June 5, 1978United States Tax Court Nominating Commission
  99. EO 12065June 28, 1978National Security Information
  100. EO 12066June 29, 1978Inspection of Foreign Assistance Programs
  101. EO 12067June 30, 1978Equal Employment Opportunity Programs
  102. EO 12068June 30, 1978Litigation Against Public Sector Employers
  103. EO 12069June 30, 1978Executive Schedule
  104. EO 12070June 30, 1978Federal Cost-of-Living Allowances
  105. EO 12071July 12, 1978President's Commission on Pension Policy
  106. EO 12072August 16, 1978Federal Space ManagementRevoked
  107. EO 12073August 16, 1978Federal Procurement in Labor Surplus Areas
  108. EO 12074August 16, 1978Urban and Community Impact Analyses
  109. EO 12075August 16, 1978Interagency Coordinating Council
  110. EO 12076August 18, 1978Executive Schedule
  111. EO 12077August 18, 1978Mississippi River Commission
  112. EO 12078September 5, 1978Presidential Commission on World Hunger
  113. EO 12079September 18, 1978Airport and Airway Development Act Functions
  114. EO 12080September 18, 1978Commemorative Presidential Proclamations
  115. EO 12081September 18, 1978Naturalization Based on Military Service
  116. EO 12082September 19, 1978Armed Forces Promotion and Disability Separation Limitations
  117. EO 12083September 27, 1978Energy Coordinating Committee
  118. EO 12084September 27, 1978Judicial Nominating Commission for the District of Puerto Rico
  119. EO 12085September 28, 1978Emergency Board To Investigate a Railway Labor Dispute
  120. EO 12086October 5, 1978Equal Employment Opportunity Functions
  121. EO 12087October 7, 1978Federal Civilian and Military Pay Increases
  122. EO 12088October 13, 1978Federal Compliance With Pollution Control StandardsPartially revoked
  123. EO 12089October 23, 1978National Productivity Council
  124. EO 12090October 31, 1978President's Commission on Foreign Language and International Studies
  125. EO 12091November 1, 1978Small Business Conference Commission
  126. EO 12092November 1, 1978Federal Anti-Inflationary Procurement Practices
  127. EO 12093November 1, 1978President's Commission on the Holocaust
  128. EO 12094November 1, 1978Special Pay for Sea Duty
  129. EO 12095November 2, 1978Emergency Board To Investigate an Airline Labor Dispute
  130. EO 12096November 2, 1978Industry and Trade Administration
  131. EO 12097November 8, 1978Merit Selection of United States District Judges
  132. EO 12098November 14, 1978President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
  133. EO 12099November 17, 1978Executive Schedule
  134. EO 12100November 17, 1978President's Commission on Pension Policy
  135. EO 12101November 17, 1978Delegation of Functions to the Secretary of State
  136. EO 12102November 17, 1978Trade Committees
  137. EO 12103December 14, 1978President's Commission on the Coal Industry
  138. EO 12104December 15, 1978Imports of Papermaking Machinery From Finland
  139. EO 12105December 19, 1978Garnishment of Moneys Payable to Employees of Executive Agencies and the District of Columbia
  140. EO 12106December 28, 1978Equal Employment Opportunity Enforcement
  141. EO 12107December 28, 1978Federal Civil Service Reorganization
  142. EO 12108December 28, 1978Employee Retirement Income Security Act Transfers
  143. EO 12109December 28, 1978Federal Physicians Comparability Allowance
  144. EO 12110December 28, 1978Federal Advisory Committees
  145. EO 12111January 2, 1979Executive Schedule
  146. EO 12112January 2, 1979Seal for the Office of Administration
  147. EO 12113January 4, 1979Independent Water Project Review
  148. EO 12114January 4, 1979Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions
  149. EO 12115January 19, 1979Permanent American Cemetery in the Republic of Panama
  150. EO 12116January 19, 1979Issuance of Food Stamps by the Postal Service
  151. EO 12117February 6, 1979Imports From Uganda
  152. EO 12118February 6, 1979Administration of Security Assistance Programs
  153. EO 12119February 14, 1979Executive Schedule
  154. EO 12120February 14, 1979The Honorable Adolph Dubs
  155. EO 12121February 26, 1979Energy Coordinating Committee
  156. EO 12122February 26, 1979Office of Administration
  157. EO 12123February 26, 1979Offshore Oil Spill Pollution
  158. EO 12124February 28, 1979Generalized System of Preferences
  159. EO 12125March 15, 1979Competitive Status for Handicapped Federal Employees
  160. EO 12126March 29, 1979Correction to Executive Order 12107 Related to Federal Civil Service Reorganization
  161. EO 12127March 31, 1979Federal Emergency Management Agency
  162. EO 12128April 4, 1979Employee-Management Relations in the Foreign Service
  163. EO 12129April 5, 1979Critical Energy Facility Program
  164. EO 12130April 11, 1979President's Commission on the Accident at Three Mile Island
  165. EO 12131May 4, 1979The President's Export CouncilAmended
  166. EO 12132May 8, 1979Emergency Board To Investigate a Railway Labor Dispute
  167. EO 12133May 9, 1979Drug Policy Functions
  168. EO 12134May 9, 1979Printing Services Within the Executive Office
  169. EO 12135May 9, 1979President's Advisory Committee for Women
  170. EO 12136May 15, 1979President's Commission on Executive Exchange
  171. EO 12137May 16, 1979Peace CorpsAmended
  172. EO 12138May 18, 1979Women's Business Enterprise
  173. EO 12139May 23, 1979Foreign Intelligence Electronic SurveillanceAmended
  174. EO 12140May 29, 1979Gasoline End-User Allocation
  175. EO 12141June 5, 1979Independent Water Project Review
  176. EO 12142June 21, 1979Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System
  177. EO 12143June 22, 1979Maintaining Unofficial Relations with the People on TaiwanSuperseded
  178. EO 12144June 22, 1979Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
  179. EO 12145July 18, 1979Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System
  180. EO 12146July 18, 1979Management of Federal Legal ResourcesAmended
  181. EO 12147July 19, 1979United States International Development Cooperation Agency
  182. EO 12148July 20, 1979Federal Emergency ManagementPartially revoked
  183. EO 12149July 20, 1979Federal Regional Councils
  184. EO 12150July 23, 1979United States Sinai Support Mission
  185. EO 12151August 14, 1979President's Commission on the Holocaust
  186. EO 12152August 14, 1979Federal Government Organization and Employees
  187. EO 12153August 17, 1979Price Controls on Heavy Crude Oil
  188. EO 12154September 4, 1979Executive ScheduleAmended
  189. EO 12155September 10, 1979Strategic and Critical Materials
  190. EO 12156September 10, 1979Federal Emergency Management Agency; Department of Energy
  191. EO 12157September 14, 1979President's Management Improvement Council
  192. EO 12158September 18, 1979Presidential Scholars
  193. EO 12159September 20, 1979Emergency Board To Investigate a Railway Labor Dispute
  194. EO 12160September 26, 1979Federal Consumer ProgramsAmended
  195. EO 12161September 28, 1979Anti-Inflation Program
  196. EO 12162September 28, 1979Amendment to Executive Order 12140: Gasoline End-User Allocation
  197. EO 12163September 29, 1979Administration of Foreign Assistance and Related FunctionsAmended
  198. EO 12164September 29, 1979Multilateral Development Institutions
  199. EO 12165October 9, 1979Federal Civilian and Military Pay Increases
  200. EO 12166October 19, 1979Export-Import Bank
  201. EO 12167October 23, 1979United States-People's Republic of China Trade Relations
  202. EO 12168October 24, 1979President's Commission for a National Agenda for the Eighties
  203. EO 12169October 26, 1979United States Holocaust Memorial Council
  204. EO 12170November 14, 1979Blocking Iranian Government Property
  205. EO 12171November 19, 1979Exclusions From the Federal Labor-Management Relations ProgramAmended
  206. EO 12172November 26, 1979Iranian Aliens
  207. EO 12173November 29, 1979Panama Canal
  208. EO 12174November 30, 1979Federal Paperwork Reduction
  209. EO 12175December 7, 1979International Trade Functions
  210. EO 12176December 7, 1979President's Commission on the Coal Industry
  211. EO 12177December 10, 1979Federal Government Pension Plans
  212. EO 12178December 10, 1979Foreign Assistance Functions
  213. EO 12179December 11, 1979Holiday for Federal Employees
  214. EO 12180December 11, 1979Generalized System of Preferences for Developing Countries
  215. EO 12181December 11, 1979Generalized System of Preferences for Developing Countries
  216. EO 12182December 14, 1979Emergency Board To Investigate a Railway Labor Dispute
  217. EO 12183December 16, 1979Revoking Rhodesian Sanctions
  218. EO 12184December 17, 1979President's Special Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and Biomedical and Behavioral Research
  219. EO 12185December 17, 1979Conservation of Petroleum and Natural Gas
  220. EO 12186December 21, 1979Price Controls on Heavy Crude Oil
  221. EO 12187December 29, 1979Decontrol of Marginal Oil Wells
  222. EO 12188January 2, 1980International Trade FunctionsAmended
  223. EO 12189January 16, 1980Price Controls on Heavy Crude Oil
  224. EO 12190February 1, 1980Advisory Committee on Small and Minority Business Ownership
  225. EO 12191February 1, 1980Federal Facility Ridesharing Program
  226. EO 12192February 12, 1980State Planning Council on Radioactive Waste Management
  227. EO 12193February 12, 1980Nuclear Cooperation With EURATOM
  228. EO 12194February 21, 1980Radiation Policy Council
  229. EO 12195February 22, 1980President's Commission on United States-Liberian Relations
  230. EO 12196February 26, 1980Occupational Safety and Health Programs for Federal Employees
  231. EO 12197March 5, 1980Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System
  232. EO 12198March 12, 1980Prescribing Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 1969 (Revised Edition)
  233. EO 12199March 12, 1980Executive Schedule
  234. EO 12200March 12, 1980Federal Civilian and Military Pay Rates
  235. EO 12201March 14, 1980Credit Control
  236. EO 12202March 18, 1980Nuclear Safety Oversight Committee
  237. EO 12203March 26, 1980Panama Canal
  238. EO 12204March 27, 1980Generalized System of Preferences
  239. EO 12205April 7, 1980Economic Sanctions Against Iran
  240. EO 12206April 7, 1980Iranian Aliens
  241. EO 12207April 12, 1980Emergency Board To Investigate a Railway Labor Dispute
  242. EO 12208April 15, 1980Consultations on the Admission of RefugeesAmended
  243. EO 12209April 16, 1980Decontrol of Marginal Oil Wells
  244. EO 12210April 16, 1980Administration of Arms Export Controls
  245. EO 12211April 17, 1980Sanctions Against Iran
  246. EO 12212May 2, 1980The Department of Education
  247. EO 12213May 2, 1980United States Holocaust Memorial Council
  248. EO 12214May 2, 1980Administration of the Export Administration Act of 1979
  249. EO 12215May 27, 1980Delegation of Panama Canal Functions
  250. EO 12216June 18, 1980President's Committee on the International Labor OrganizationAmended
  251. EO 12217June 18, 1980Federal Compliance With Fuel Use Prohibitions
  252. EO 12218June 19, 1980Export of Special Nuclear Material and Components to India
  253. EO 12219June 19, 1980Presidential Commission on World Hunger
  254. EO 12220June 27, 1980Agricultural Trade Development
  255. EO 12221June 27, 1980Improving Government Regulations
  256. EO 12222June 28, 1980Generalized System of Preferences for Developing Countries
  257. EO 12223June 30, 1980Occupational Safety and Health Programs for Federal Employees
  258. EO 12224July 1, 1980Implementation of the International Sugar Agreement
  259. EO 12225July 3, 1980Credit Control Revocation
  260. EO 12226July 22, 1980Administration of Foreign Assistance
  261. EO 12227July 22, 1980United States Sinai Support Mission
  262. EO 12228July 24, 1980Allowances for Personnel on Foreign Duty
  263. EO 12229July 29, 1980White House Coal Advisory Council
  264. EO 12230July 30, 1980Drug Enforcement Administration
  265. EO 12231August 4, 1980Strategic Petroleum Reserve
  266. EO 12232August 8, 1980Historically Black Colleges and Universities
  267. EO 12233September 1, 1980Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 1969 (Revised Edition)
  268. EO 12234September 3, 1980Enforcement of the Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
  269. EO 12235September 3, 1980Management of Natural Gas Supply Emergencies
  270. EO 12236September 4, 1980Executive Schedule
  271. EO 12237September 4, 1980Executive Schedule
  272. EO 12238September 12, 1980International Maritime Satellite Organization
  273. EO 12239September 21, 1980Suspension of Certain Armed Forces Promotion and Disability Separation Limitations
  274. EO 12240September 26, 1980Nuclear Safety Oversight Committee
  275. EO 12241September 29, 1980Accidents at Nuclear Power Facilities
  276. EO 12242September 30, 1980Synthetic Fuels
  277. EO 12243October 3, 1980Variable Housing Allowance
  278. EO 12244October 3, 1980Cuban and Haitian Refugees
  279. EO 12245October 6, 1980Peace Corps Advisory Council
  280. EO 12246October 10, 1980Cuban and Haitian Entrants
  281. EO 12247October 15, 1980Federal Actions in the Lake Tahoe Region
  282. EO 12248October 16, 1980Federal Civilian and Military Pay Increases
  283. EO 12249October 25, 1980Foreign Service Salary Schedule
  284. EO 12250November 2, 1980Leadership and Coordination of Nondiscrimination LawsAmended
  285. EO 12251November 15, 1980Cuban and Haitian Entrants
  286. EO 12252November 24, 1980The Honorable John William McCormack
  287. EO 12253November 25, 1980Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System
  288. EO 12254December 3, 1980National Advisory Community Investment Board
  289. EO 12255December 5, 1980Holiday for Federal Employees
  290. EO 12256December 15, 1980Census Statistics on Legal Immigrants
  291. EO 12257December 18, 1980Civil Service Status for CETA Participants
  292. EO 12258December 31, 1980Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees
  293. EO 12259December 31, 1980Leadership and Coordination of Fair Housing in Federal ProgramsRevoked
  294. EO 12260December 31, 1980Agreement on Government ProcurementAmended
  295. EO 12261January 5, 1981Gasohol in Federal Motor Vehicles
  296. EO 12262January 7, 1981Interagency Employee Benefit Council
  297. EO 12263January 8, 1981Contribution to Tin Buffer Stock
  298. EO 12264January 15, 1981Export of Banned or Significantly Restricted Substances
  299. EO 12265January 15, 1981Federal Consumer Programs
  300. EO 12266January 15, 1981Food Security Wheat Reserve
  301. EO 12267January 15, 1981Generalized System of Preferences
  302. EO 12268January 15, 1981Hostage Relief Act of 1980
  303. EO 12269January 15, 1981President's Committee on Small Business Policy
  304. EO 12270January 15, 1981President's Council on Spinal Cord Injury
  305. EO 12271January 15, 1981Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees
  306. EO 12272January 16, 1981Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System
  307. EO 12273January 16, 1981Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System
  308. EO 12274January 16, 1981Military Pay and Allowances
  309. EO 12275January 16, 1981Design Liaison Council
  310. EO 12276January 19, 1981United States-Iran Agreement on Release of the American Hostages
  311. EO 12277January 19, 1981United States-Iran Agreement on Release of the American Hostages
  312. EO 12278January 19, 1981United States-Iran Agreement on Release of the American Hostages
  313. EO 12279January 19, 1981United States-Iran Agreement on Release of the American Hostages
  314. EO 12280January 19, 1981United States-Iran Agreement on Release of the American Hostages
  315. EO 12281January 19, 1981United States-Iran Agreement on Release of the American Hostages
  316. EO 12282January 19, 1981United States-Iran Agreement on Release of the American Hostages
  317. EO 12283January 19, 1981United States-Iran Agreement on Release of the American Hostages
  318. EO 12284January 19, 1981United States-Iran Agreement on Release of the American Hostages
  319. EO 12285January 19, 1981United States-Iran Agreement on Release of the American Hostages
  320. EO 12286January 19, 1981Responses to Environmental Damage

Source: Executive Orders Archive, compiled from the American Presidency Project and the Federal Register. Topics are the archive's automated tags; "Revoked" and similar labels come from the Federal Register's records.

Pardons and commutations

A pardon wipes out the punishment for a federal crime; a commutation shortens a sentence but leaves the conviction. Counts are by federal fiscal year. His first-day proclamation pardoning Vietnam-era draft evaders covered hundreds of thousands of people and is not counted individually.

Granted each year

PardonsCommutations

Source: U.S. Dept. of Justice, clemency statistics, which lists every recipient with the crime and sentence.

Notable grants: tap to see the crime

Vietnam-era draft evadersPardon (proclamation)January 21, 1977

The crime: Evading the draft between 1964 and 1973 (military deserters were not included)

Sentence: Up to five years in prison, or exile abroad

Why it drew attention: A campaign promise. Veterans' groups condemned it as rewarding lawbreakers; others said it did not go far enough.

Source
G. Gordon LiddyCommutationApril 12, 1977

The crime: Burglary, conspiracy and illegal wiretapping in the Watergate break-in

Sentence: Up to 20 years; about 4½ served

Why it drew attention: The Watergate break-in's planner. Carter cut his sentence to match the other burglars'.

Source
Patty HearstCommutationFebruary 1, 1979

The crime: Bank robbery (1976), committed after she was kidnapped by a militant group

Sentence: Seven years; 22 months served

Why it drew attention: Supporters argued she was coerced. Clinton later granted her a full pardon.

Source
Four Puerto Rican nationalistsCommutationSeptember 6, 1979

The crime: The 1954 shooting in the U.S. Capitol that wounded five congressmen, and the 1950 attack on Blair House aimed at President Truman

Sentence: Life and long terms; about 25 years served

Why it drew attention: Their release was welcomed in parts of Puerto Rico and criticized as rewarding political violence.

Source
Peter YarrowPardonJanuary 19, 1981

The crime: Taking indecent liberties with a 14-year-old girl (pleaded guilty 1970)

Sentence: 1 to 3 years; served three months

Why it drew attention: A member of the folk group Peter, Paul and Mary; the pardon drew renewed criticism years later.

Source

Controversies and scandals

What happened, what was proven, and how it ended.

Proven convicted, admitted or confirmed by a court or official investigationCharged indicted or impeached (outcome stated)Disputed facts established, whether it was wrong is debatedAlleged reported but never established
Bert Lance affairCharged1977–1980

His budget director's past overdrafts and loans at his Georgia bank came under investigation.

Outcome: Lance resigned; later indicted and acquitted.

Source
'Billygate'Disputed1980

The president's brother took money from Libya's government and was accused of lobbying for it.

Outcome: A Senate subcommittee found poor judgment and White House missteps but no illegal acts by the president.

Source
Firing a prosecutor investigating DemocratsAlleged1978

He had a Republican U.S. attorney removed after a Democratic congressman under investigation complained.

Outcome: Carter said he did not know of the investigation; the congressman later pleaded guilty to conflict of interest.

Source
Failed Iran hostage rescueProvenApril 1980

A secret mission to free 52 American hostages in Tehran was aborted in the desert; a helicopter collided with a plane.

Outcome: Eight U.S. servicemen died; a military review found planning and equipment failures.

Source
Soviet grain embargo and Olympic boycottDisputed1980

He halted grain sales to the Soviet Union and led a boycott of the Moscow Olympics after the invasion of Afghanistan.

Outcome: Farmers and athletes bore the costs; whether it pressured the Soviets is debated.

Source

In their own words

Widely quoted remarks, with the context they were said in.

I'll never tell a lie. I'll never make a misleading statement.

1976 · A campaign pledge after Watergate. Source

I've looked on a lot of women with lust. I've committed adultery in my heart many times.

November 1976 · Playboy interview during the campaign. Source

It is a crisis of confidence.

July 15, 1979 · The televised 'malaise' speech on the energy crisis and the national mood. Source
How this page is made. Every president gets the same sections and the same checklist. A controversy is listed if it led to an investigation by Congress, an inspector general, a special or independent counsel or a court, or was a sustained national story covered across the political spectrum. Labels follow the strongest official finding, not media coverage. Debt figures come from the U.S. Treasury; deficits and GDP from the White House budget office and the Commerce Department; unemployment from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (before 1948, yearly estimates by Stanley Lebergott via NBER and the Census Bureau's Historical Statistics); prices from MeasuringWorth; executive orders from the Federal Register and National Archives; clemency from the Justice Department.