RRPortrait comingOfficial portrait of Ronald Reagan
40th president of the United States · 1981–1989

Ronald Reagan

RepublicanVice president: George H. W. BushCompleted two terms

Cut income tax rates sharply, built up the military and pressed the Soviet Union in the last decade of the Cold War. The debt nearly tripled as defense spending and tax cuts outpaced revenue. The Iran-Contra affair, secret arms sales to Iran with profits sent to Nicaraguan rebels, was the major scandal of his second term.

Debt added
+$1.69trillion
$907.70 billion → $2.60 trillion (+187%)
Debt-to-GDP, latest
51%
FY1980: 33% → FY1988: 51%
Unemployment
5.4%
Jan 1981: 7.5% → Jan 1989: 5.4%
Average inflation
4.6%a year
1980–1988: 4.6% a year
Executive orders
381
About 48 a year in office
Pardons & commutations
406
393 pardons · 13 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

Sept 30, 1980 (end of fiscal 1980): $907.70 billion → Sept 30, 1988 (end of fiscal 1988): $2.60 trillion

Daily debt figures don't exist before 1993, so Reagan'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 1981: 7.5% → Jan 1989: 5.4%. 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 1980$143.60 in 1988
Federal minimum wage, 1981 → 1989$3.35 → $3.35

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

Executive orders

381 orders, numbered 12287–12667.

Orders signed each year

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

Notable orders

Ending oil price controlsEO 12287January 28, 1981

Immediately removed the remaining federal price and allocation controls on crude oil and gasoline.

Federal Register
Cost-benefit review of regulationsEO 12291February 17, 1981

Required major regulations to pass a cost-benefit test reviewed by the White House budget office.

Federal Register
U.S. intelligence activitiesEO 12333December 4, 1981

Set the rules for the CIA, NSA and other spy agencies. Still in force, as amended.

Federal Register
Classified national security informationEO 12356April 2, 1982

Expanded what could be classified and ended automatic declassification.

Federal Register
Drug-free federal workplaceEO 12564September 15, 1986

Required drug testing for federal employees in sensitive jobs.

Federal Register
FederalismEO 12612October 26, 1987

Required agencies to limit rules that override state authority.

Federal Register
Every executive order 381Search, filter by topic or year, and open any order's full text
  1. EO 12287January 28, 1981Decontrol of Crude Oil and Refined Petroleum Products
  2. EO 12288January 29, 1981Termination of the Wage and Price Regulatory Program
  3. EO 12289February 14, 1981Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System
  4. EO 12290February 17, 1981Federal Exports and Excessive Regulation
  5. EO 12291February 17, 1981Federal Regulation
  6. EO 12292February 23, 1981Foreign Service Act of 1980
  7. EO 12293February 23, 1981Foreign Service of the United StatesAmended
  8. EO 12294February 24, 1981Suspension of Litigation Against Iran
  9. EO 12295February 24, 1981Nuclear Cooperation With EURATOM
  10. EO 12296March 2, 1981President's Economic Policy Advisory Board
  11. EO 12297March 12, 1981International Coffee Agreement 1976
  12. EO 12298March 12, 1981Lake Tahoe Region
  13. EO 12299March 17, 1981Presidential Advisory Board on Ambassadorial Appointments
  14. EO 12300March 23, 1981Exceptions From the Competitive ServiceSuperseded
  15. EO 12301March 26, 1981Integrity and Efficiency in Federal ProgramsAmended
  16. EO 12302April 1, 1981Amending the Generalized System of Preferences
  17. EO 12303April 8, 1981Presidential Advisory Committee on Federalism
  18. EO 12304April 29, 1981Seal for the Panama Canal Commission
  19. EO 12305May 5, 1981Termination of Certain Federal Advisory Committees
  20. EO 12306June 1, 1981Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 1969 (Revised Edition)
  21. EO 12307June 4, 1981President's Commission on Hostage Compensation
  22. EO 12308June 5, 1981Presidential Task Force on the Arts and Humanities
  23. EO 12309June 9, 1981President's Economic Policy Advisory Board
  24. EO 12310June 16, 1981President's Commission on Housing
  25. EO 12311June 29, 1981Amending the Generalized System of Preferences
  26. EO 12312July 2, 1981The Meritorious Service Medal
  27. EO 12313July 13, 1981Specification of Hostage Return Date Under Hostage Relief Act of 1980
  28. EO 12314July 22, 1981Federal Regional Councils
  29. EO 12315July 29, 1981Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 1969 (Revised Edition)
  30. EO 12316August 14, 1981Responses to Environmental Damage
  31. EO 12317August 14, 1981President's Commission on Hostage Compensation
  32. EO 12318August 21, 1981Statistical Policy Functions
  33. EO 12319September 9, 1981River Basin Commissions
  34. EO 12321September 14, 1981Foreign Assistance and Arms Export Control
  35. EO 12320September 15, 1981Historically Black Colleges and Universities
  36. EO 12322September 17, 1981Water Resources Projects
  37. EO 12323September 22, 1981Presidential Commission on Broadcasting to Cuba
  38. EO 12324September 29, 1981Interdiction of Illegal Aliens
  39. EO 12325September 30, 1981Presidential Task Force on the Arts and Humanities
  40. EO 12326September 30, 1981Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System
  41. EO 12327October 1, 1981Exemption for Fort Allen
  42. EO 12328October 8, 1981Federal Employees Contracting or Trading With Indians
  43. EO 12329October 14, 1981President's Task Force on Private Sector Initiatives
  44. EO 12330October 15, 1981Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay and Allowances
  45. EO 12331October 20, 1981President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board
  46. EO 12332November 10, 1981Establishment of the National Productivity Advisory Committee
  47. EO 12333December 4, 1981United States Intelligence ActivitiesRevoked
  48. EO 12334December 4, 1981President's Intelligence Oversight Board
  49. EO 12335December 16, 1981National Commission on Social Security Reform
  50. EO 12336December 21, 1981Task Force on Legal Equity for Women
  51. EO 12337January 11, 1982Basic Allowance for Subsistence for Uniformed Services
  52. EO 12338January 11, 1982Exclusions From the Federal Labor- Management Relations Program
  53. EO 12339January 13, 1982President's Commission on Housing
  54. EO 12340January 20, 1982Amendments to the Manual for Courts- Martial, United States, 1969 (Revised Edition)
  55. EO 12341January 21, 1982Cuban and Haitian EntrantsAmended
  56. EO 12342January 27, 1982Environmental Safeguards for Animal Damage Control on Federal Lands
  57. EO 12343January 27, 1982Designation of Certain Officers To Act as Secretary of StateRevoked
  58. EO 12344February 1, 1982Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program
  59. EO 12345February 2, 1982Physical Fitness and SportsRevoked
  60. EO 12346February 8, 1982Synthetic Fuels
  61. EO 12347February 23, 1982Agreement on Government Procurement
  62. EO 12348February 25, 1982Federal Real Property
  63. EO 12349February 26, 1982Amending the Generalized System of Preferences
  64. EO 12350March 9, 1982Termination of Urban and Community Impact Analyses
  65. EO 12351March 9, 1982Nuclear Cooperation With EURATOM
  66. EO 12352March 17, 1982Federal Procurement ReformsRevoked
  67. EO 12353March 23, 1982Charitable Fund-RaisingAmended
  68. EO 12354March 30, 1982Amending the Generalized System of Preferences
  69. EO 12355April 1, 1982The Task Force on Legal Equity for Women
  70. EO 12356April 2, 1982National Security InformationRevoked
  71. EO 12357April 6, 1982Sinai Support Mission
  72. EO 12358April 14, 1982Presidential Commission on Drunk Driving
  73. EO 12359April 22, 1982Public International Organizations Entitled To Enjoy Privileges, Exemptions, and Immunities
  74. EO 12360April 23, 1982President's Task Force on Victims of Crime
  75. EO 12361April 27, 1982Multinational Force and Observers Reports
  76. EO 12362May 12, 1982Overseas Employment
  77. EO 12363May 21, 1982The Foreign Service of the United States
  78. EO 12364May 24, 1982The Presidential Management Intern ProgramSuperseded
  79. EO 12365May 24, 1982Foreign Assistance and Arms Control
  80. EO 12366May 25, 1982Presidential Commission on Broadcasting to Cuba
  81. EO 12367June 15, 1982President's Committee on the Arts and the HumanitiesAmended
  82. EO 12368June 24, 1982Drug Abuse Policy Functions
  83. EO 12369June 30, 1982President's Private Sector Survey on Cost Control in the Federal Government
  84. EO 12370July 8, 1982Establishment of Emergency Board No. 194 To Investigate a Railroad Labor Dispute
  85. EO 12371July 12, 1982Amending the Generalized System of Preferences
  86. EO 12372July 14, 1982Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs
  87. EO 12373July 21, 1982Establishment of Emergency Board No. 195 To Investigate a Railroad Labor Dispute
  88. EO 12374July 28, 1982Reports on International Organizations
  89. EO 12375August 4, 1982Motor Vehicles
  90. EO 12376August 5, 1982Presidential Commission on Drunk Driving
  91. EO 12377August 6, 1982Joint Mexican-United States Defense Commission
  92. EO 12378August 6, 1982President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
  93. EO 12379August 17, 1982Termination of Boards, Committees, and Commissions
  94. EO 12380August 18, 1982Submarine Duty Incentive Pay
  95. EO 12381September 8, 1982Delegation of Emergency Management Functions
  96. EO 12382September 13, 1982President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory CommitteeAmended
  97. EO 12383September 23, 1982Amendments to the Manual for Courts- Martial, United States, 1969 (Revised Edition)
  98. EO 12384October 1, 1982Establishment of Emergency Board No. 196 To Investigate a Railroad Labor Dispute
  99. EO 12385October 1, 1982Establishment of Emergency Board No. 197 To Investigate a Railroad Labor Dispute
  100. EO 12386October 1, 1982Establishment of Emergency Board No. 198 To Investigate a Railroad Labor Dispute
  101. EO 12387October 8, 1982Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay and Allowances
  102. EO 12388October 14, 1982United States Information Agency
  103. EO 12389October 25, 1982Amending the Generalized System of Preferences
  104. EO 12390October 25, 1982Delegation to the Secretary of State
  105. EO 12391November 4, 1982Partial Suspension of Federal Service Labor-Management Relations
  106. EO 12392November 15, 1982International Financial Institutions
  107. EO 12393November 16, 1982Establishment of Emergency Board No. 199 To Investigate a Railroad Labor Dispute
  108. EO 12394November 18, 1982Incentive Pay for Hazardous Duty
  109. EO 12395November 20, 1982International Private Enterprise Task Force
  110. EO 12396December 9, 1982Defense Officer Personnel Management
  111. EO 12397December 23, 1982National Commission on Social Security Reform
  112. EO 12398December 31, 1982President's Private Sector Survey on Cost Control in the Federal Government
  113. EO 12399December 31, 1982Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees
  114. EO 12400January 3, 1983President's Commission on Strategic Forces
  115. EO 12401January 14, 1983Presidential Commission on Indian Reservation Economies
  116. EO 12402January 15, 1983National Commission on Social Security Reform
  117. EO 12403February 8, 1983African Development Bank
  118. EO 12404February 10, 1983Charitable Fund-Raising
  119. EO 12405February 14, 1983Establishment of Emergency Board No. 200 To Investigate a Railroad Labor Dispute
  120. EO 12406February 18, 1983President's Commission on Strategic Forces
  121. EO 12407February 22, 1983Federal Regional Councils
  122. EO 12408February 23, 1983Reports on International Organizations
  123. EO 12409March 7, 1983Nuclear Cooperation with EURATOM
  124. EO 12410March 28, 1983Exclusions From the Federal Labor- Management Relations Program
  125. EO 12411March 29, 1983Government Work Space Management Reforms
  126. EO 12412March 29, 1983Peace Corps Advisory Council
  127. EO 12413March 30, 1983Amending the Generalized System of Preferences
  128. EO 12414April 4, 1983Establishment of Emergency Board No. 201 To Investigate a Railroad Labor Dispute
  129. EO 12415April 5, 1983Extension of the Presidential Commission on Drunk Driving
  130. EO 12416April 8, 1983Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs
  131. EO 12417May 2, 1983Strategic and Critical Materials
  132. EO 12418May 5, 1983Transfer of Functions Relating to Financial Responsibility of Vessels for Pollution Liability
  133. EO 12419May 5, 1983Implementation of the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships
  134. EO 12420May 11, 1983Incentive Pay for Hazardous Duty
  135. EO 12421May 12, 1983Presidential Commission on the Conduct of United States-Japan Relations
  136. EO 12422May 20, 1983Level IV of the Executive Schedule
  137. EO 12423May 26, 1983Foreign Assistance and Arms Control
  138. EO 12424June 10, 1983President's Commission on Strategic Forces
  139. EO 12425June 16, 1983International Criminal Police OrganizationsAmended
  140. EO 12426June 22, 1983President's Advisory Committee on Women's Business Ownership
  141. EO 12427June 27, 1983President's Advisory Council on Private Sector Initiatives
  142. EO 12428June 28, 1983President's Commission on Industrial Competitiveness
  143. EO 12429June 28, 1983President's Private Sector Survey on Cost Control in the Federal Government
  144. EO 12430July 6, 1983Reports of Identical Bids
  145. EO 12431July 8, 1983Level IV of the Executive Schedule
  146. EO 12432July 14, 1983Minority Business Enterprise Development
  147. EO 12433July 19, 1983National Bipartisan Commission on Central America
  148. EO 12434July 19, 1983Alaska Railroad Rates
  149. EO 12435July 28, 1983President's Commission on Organized Crime
  150. EO 12436July 29, 1983Payment of Certain Benefits to Survivors of Persons Who Died in or as a Result of Military Service
  151. EO 12437August 11, 1983Fuel Use Prohibitions
  152. EO 12438August 23, 1983Review of Increases in Rates of Basic Pay for Employees of the Veterans' Administration
  153. EO 12439September 8, 1983President's Task Force on Food Assistance
  154. EO 12440September 8, 1983President's Commission on Industrial Competitiveness
  155. EO 12441September 20, 1983Amending the Generalized System of Preferences
  156. EO 12442September 21, 1983Presidential Commission on Indian Reservation Economies
  157. EO 12443September 27, 1983Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System
  158. EO 12444October 14, 1983Continuation of Export Control Regulations
  159. EO 12445October 17, 1983Certification of Containers and Vehicles for Use in International Transport
  160. EO 12446October 17, 1983Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System
  161. EO 12447October 27, 1983President's Private Sector Survey on Cost Control in the Federal Government
  162. EO 12448November 4, 1983Regulations Related to Voiding or Rescission of Contracts
  163. EO 12449November 18, 1983National Bipartisan Commission on Central America
  164. EO 12450December 9, 1983Interagency Committee on Handicapped Employees
  165. EO 12451December 20, 1983Continuation of Export Control Regulations
  166. EO 12452December 22, 1983Revised List of Quarantinable Communicable DiseasesRevoked
  167. EO 12453December 23, 1983Reports With Respect to Loans and Credits Extended to Poland
  168. EO 12454December 29, 1983President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee
  169. EO 12455December 29, 1983President's Private Sector Survey on Cost Control in the Federal Government
  170. EO 12456December 30, 1983Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay and Allowances
  171. EO 12457January 3, 1984President's Commission on Industrial Competitiveness
  172. EO 12458January 14, 1984Delegation to the Secretary of State Concerning Foreign Assistance
  173. EO 12459January 16, 1984Amending the Generalized System of Preferences
  174. EO 12460January 24, 1984Amendments to the Manual for Courts- Martial, United States, 1969 (Revised Edition)
  175. EO 12461February 17, 1984District of Columbia Police and Firefighters' Retirement and Disability System
  176. EO 12462February 17, 1984President's Advisory Committee on Mediation and Conciliation
  177. EO 12463February 23, 1984Nuclear Cooperation With EURATOM
  178. EO 12464February 23, 1984Award of the Purple Heart
  179. EO 12465February 24, 1984Commercial Expendable Launch Vehicle Activities
  180. EO 12466February 27, 1984Reimbursement of Federal Employee Relocation Expenses
  181. EO 12467March 2, 1984International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico
  182. EO 12468March 22, 1984Presidential Advisory Council on the Peace Corps
  183. EO 12469March 26, 1984East-West Foreign Trade Report
  184. EO 12470March 30, 1984Continuation of Export Control Regulations
  185. EO 12471March 30, 1984Amending the Generalized System of Preferences
  186. EO 12472April 3, 1984Assignment of National Security and Emergency Preparedness Telecommunications FunctionsRevoked
  187. EO 12473April 13, 1984Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 1984Amended
  188. EO 12474April 17, 1984Agreement on Government Procurement
  189. EO 12475May 9, 1984Textile Import Program Implementation
  190. EO 12476May 11, 1984Presidential Commission on the Conduct of United States-Japan Relations
  191. EO 12477May 23, 1984Federal Civilian and Military Pay Increases
  192. EO 12478May 23, 1984Protection of Foreign Missions to International Organizations
  193. EO 12479May 24, 1984Management Reform in the Federal Government
  194. EO 12480June 20, 1984Establishment of Emergency Board No. 202 To Investigate a Railroad Labor Dispute
  195. EO 12481June 20, 1984Establishment of Emergency Board No. 203 To Investigate a Railroad Labor Dispute
  196. EO 12482June 21, 1984President's Advisory Committee on Women's Business Ownership
  197. EO 12483June 25, 1984Amending the Generalized System of Preferences
  198. EO 12484July 13, 1984Amendments to the Manual for Courts- Martial, United States, 1984
  199. EO 12485July 13, 1984Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System
  200. EO 12486August 24, 1984Establishment of Emergency Board No. 204 To Investigate a Railroad Labor Dispute
  201. EO 12487September 14, 1984Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay
  202. EO 12488September 27, 1984Incentive Pay for Hazardous Duty
  203. EO 12489September 28, 1984Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees
  204. EO 12490October 12, 1984National Commission on Space
  205. EO 12491October 25, 1984Establishment of Emergency Board No. 205 To Investigate a Railroad Labor Dispute
  206. EO 12492October 25, 1984Establishment of Emergency Board No. 206 To Investigate a Railroad Labor Dispute
  207. EO 12493December 5, 1984President's Commission on Executive Exchange
  208. EO 12494December 6, 1984Hazardous Duty Pay
  209. EO 12495December 21, 1984Establishment of Emergency Board No. 207 To Investigate a Railroad Labor Dispute
  210. EO 12496December 28, 1984Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay and Allowances
  211. EO 12497December 29, 1984President's Advisory Committee on Mediation and Conciliation
  212. EO 12498January 4, 1985Regulatory Planning Process
  213. EO 12499January 18, 1985President's Blue Ribbon Task Group on Nuclear Weapons Program Management
  214. EO 12500January 24, 1985Delegation to the Secretary of State and the Director of the International Development Cooperation Agency Concerning Foreign Assistance
  215. EO 12501January 28, 1985Arctic ResearchAmended
  216. EO 12502January 28, 1985Chemical Warfare Review Commission
  217. EO 12503January 28, 1985Presidential Commission on Outdoor Recreation Resources Review
  218. EO 12504January 31, 1985Protection of Semiconductor Chip Products
  219. EO 12505February 12, 1985Conversion of Appointments in the Office of Management and Budget
  220. EO 12506March 4, 1985Nuclear Cooperation With EURATOM
  221. EO 12507March 22, 1985Continuance of the President's Commission on Organized Crime
  222. EO 12508March 22, 1985World Tourism Organization
  223. EO 12509April 14, 1985Technical Review Group on Inertial Confinement Fusion
  224. EO 12510April 17, 1985Non-Foreign Area Cost-of-Living Allowances
  225. EO 12511April 29, 1985President's Child Safety Partnership
  226. EO 12512April 29, 1985Federal Real Property ManagementRevoked
  227. EO 12513May 1, 1985Prohibiting Trade and Certain Other Transactions Involving Nicaragua
  228. EO 12514May 14, 1985Prescribing the Order of Succession of Officers To Act as Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Army, Secretary of the Navy, and Secretary of the Air Force
  229. EO 12515May 14, 1985Generalized System of Preferences
  230. EO 12516May 21, 1985President's Commission on Executive Exchange
  231. EO 12517May 29, 1985Delegation Concerning the United States- India Fund for Cultural, Educational, and Scientific Cooperation
  232. EO 12518June 3, 1985Trade in Services
  233. EO 12519June 13, 1985Amending the Generalized System of Preferences
  234. EO 12520June 19, 1985Quarters Allowance to Department of Defense Employees In Panama
  235. EO 12521June 24, 1985Offsets in Military-Related ExportsRevoked
  236. EO 12522June 24, 1985Reimbursement of Federal Employee Relocation Expenses
  237. EO 12523June 27, 1985National White House Conference on Small Business
  238. EO 12524July 1, 1985Amending the Generalized System of Preferences
  239. EO 12525July 12, 1985Termination of Emergency Authority for Export Controls
  240. EO 12526July 15, 1985President's Blue Ribbon Commission on Defense Management
  241. EO 12527August 7, 1985Repealing Provisions Establishing an Administrative Position in the Food-for-Peace Program
  242. EO 12528August 8, 1985Presidential Board of Advisors on Private Sector Initiatives
  243. EO 12529August 14, 1985President's Commission on Americans Outdoors
  244. EO 12530August 29, 1985Establishment of Nicaraguan Humanitarian Assistance Office
  245. EO 12531August 30, 1985Establishing an Emergency Board To Investigate a Dispute Between the United Transportation Union and Certain Railroads Represented by the National Carriers' Conference Committee of the National Railway Labor Conference
  246. EO 12532September 9, 1985Prohibiting Trade and Certain Other Transactions Involving South Africa
  247. EO 12533September 30, 1985President's Advisory Committee on Mediation and Conciliation
  248. EO 12534September 30, 1985Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees
  249. EO 12535October 1, 1985Prohibition of the Importation of the South African Krugerrand
  250. EO 12536October 9, 1985Board of the Foreign Service
  251. EO 12537October 28, 1985President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board
  252. EO 12538November 15, 1985Imports of Refined Petroleum Products From LibyaRevoked
  253. EO 12539December 3, 1985President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
  254. EO 12540December 30, 1985Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay and Allowances
  255. EO 12541December 30, 1985Amending Executive Order 11157 as It Relates to a Basic Allowance for Quarters While on Sea Duty
  256. EO 12542December 30, 1985President's Blue Ribbon Commission on Defense Management
  257. EO 12543January 7, 1986Prohibiting Trade and Certain Transactions Involving LibyaRevoked
  258. EO 12544January 8, 1986Blocking Libyan Government Property in the United States or Held by U.S. PersonsRevoked
  259. EO 12545January 14, 1986National Commission on Space
  260. EO 12546February 3, 1986Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident
  261. EO 12547February 6, 1986Establishing Procedures for Facilitating Presidential Review of International Aviation Decisions Submitted by the Department of Transportation
  262. EO 12548February 14, 1986Grazing Fees
  263. EO 12549February 18, 1986Debarment and Suspension of Participants in Federal Programs
  264. EO 12550February 19, 1986Amendments to the Manual for Courts- Martial, United States, 1984
  265. EO 12551February 21, 1986The President's Export Council
  266. EO 12552February 25, 1986Productivity Improvement Program for the Federal GovernmentRevoked
  267. EO 12553February 25, 1986Revocation of Various Executive Orders
  268. EO 12554February 28, 1986Nuclear Cooperation With EURATOM
  269. EO 12555March 10, 1986Protection of Cultural PropertyAmended
  270. EO 12556April 16, 1986Mailing Privileges of Members of Armed Forces of the United States and of Friendly Foreign Nations
  271. EO 12557May 16, 1986Establishment of Emergency Board No. 209 To Investigate a Railroad Labor Dispute
  272. EO 12558May 16, 1986Establishing an Emergency Board To Investigate a Dispute Between the Long Island Rail Road and Certain Labor Organizations Representing Its Employees
  273. EO 12559May 20, 1986Exclusions From the Federal Labor- Management Relations Program
  274. EO 12560May 24, 1986Administration of Foreign Relations and Related Functions
  275. EO 12561July 1, 1986Delegating Certain Functions of the President Relating to Federal Civilian Employee and Contractor Travel Expenses
  276. EO 12562July 15, 1986Establishment of an Emergency Board To Investigate Railroad Labor Disputes
  277. EO 12563September 12, 1986Establishing an Emergency Board To Investigate a Dispute Between the Long Island Rail Road and Certain Labor Organizations Representing Its Employees
  278. EO 12564September 15, 1986Drug-Free Federal Workplace
  279. EO 12565September 25, 1986Prescribing a Comprehensive System of Financial Reporting for Officers and Employees in the Executive Branch
  280. EO 12566September 26, 1986Safety Belt Use Requirements for Federal EmployeesRevoked
  281. EO 12567October 2, 1986Designation of the Inter-American Investment Corporation, the Commission for the Study of Alternatives to the Panama Canal, and the Pacific Salmon Commission as Public International Organizations
  282. EO 12568October 2, 1986Employment Opportunities for Military Spouses at Nonappropriated Fund Activities
  283. EO 12569October 16, 1986Compact of Free Association With the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau
  284. EO 12570October 24, 1986Delegating Authority To Implement Assistance for Central American Democracies and the Nicaraguan Democratic Resistance
  285. EO 12571October 27, 1986Implementation of the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act
  286. EO 12572November 3, 1986Relations With the Northern Mariana Islands
  287. EO 12573November 6, 1986Amending Executive Order No. 11157 as It Relates to Incentive Pay for Hazardous Duty
  288. EO 12574November 20, 1986Establishing an Experimental Program Within the President's Commission on Executive Exchange
  289. EO 12575December 1, 1986President's Special Review Board
  290. EO 12576December 2, 1986Victims of Terrorism Compensation
  291. EO 12577December 22, 1986Closing of Government Departments and Agencies on Friday, December 26, 1986
  292. EO 12578December 31, 1986Adjustments of Certain Rates of Federal Pay and Allowances
  293. EO 12579December 31, 1986President's Advisory Committee on Mediation and Conciliation
  294. EO 12580January 23, 1987Superfund ImplementationAmended
  295. EO 12581January 28, 1987President's Special Review Board
  296. EO 12582February 2, 1987Naturalization Requirements Exceptions for Aliens and Non-Citizen Nationals of the United States Who Served in the Grenada CampaignRevoked
  297. EO 12583February 19, 1987Food for Progress
  298. EO 12584February 19, 1987President's Special Review Board
  299. EO 12585March 3, 1987Eligibility of Overseas Employees for Noncompetitive Appointment
  300. EO 12586March 3, 1987Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 1984
  301. EO 12587March 9, 1987Nuclear Cooperation With EURATOM
  302. EO 12588March 18, 1987Haitian Assets Title Dispute
  303. EO 12589March 18, 1987Transfer of Annual and Sick Leave of Federal Employees
  304. EO 12590March 26, 1987National Drug Policy BoardAmended
  305. EO 12591April 10, 1987Facilitating Access to Science and Technology
  306. EO 12592April 10, 1987President's Commission on Compensation of Career Federal Executives
  307. EO 12593April 21, 1987President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
  308. EO 12594April 28, 1987President's Volunteer Action Award
  309. EO 12595May 5, 1987White House Conference for a Drug Free America
  310. EO 12596May 7, 1987Career Status of Federal EmployeesRevoked
  311. EO 12597May 13, 1987Establishing Procedures for Facilitating Presidential Review of International Aviation Decisions by the Department of Transportation
  312. EO 12598June 17, 1987Victims of Terrorism Compensation
  313. EO 12599June 23, 1987Coordination of Economic Policies for Sub-Saharan AfricaRevoked
  314. EO 12600June 23, 1987Predisclosure Notification Procedures for Confidential Commercial Information
  315. EO 12601June 24, 1987Presidential Commission on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Epidemic
  316. EO 12602July 15, 1987President's Commission on Executive Exchange
  317. EO 12603July 16, 1987Presidential Commission on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Epidemic
  318. EO 12604August 5, 1987Presidential Board of Advisors on Private Sector Initiatives
  319. EO 12605August 12, 1987Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Officer Promotions
  320. EO 12606September 2, 1987The Family
  321. EO 12607September 2, 1987President's Commission on Privatization
  322. EO 12608September 9, 1987Elimination of Unnecessary Executive Orders and Technical Amendments to OthersPartially revoked
  323. EO 12609September 23, 1987President's Commission on Compensation of Career Federal Executives
  324. EO 12610September 30, 1987Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees
  325. EO 12611October 15, 1987Delegating Authority To Implement Assistance for Central American Democracies and the Nicaraguan Democratic Resistance
  326. EO 12612October 26, 1987FederalismRevoked
  327. EO 12613October 29, 1987Prohibiting Imports from IranPartially revoked
  328. EO 12614November 5, 1987Presidential Task Force on Market Mechanisms
  329. EO 12615November 19, 1987Performance of Commercial Activities
  330. EO 12616November 24, 1987Providing for the Restoration of Law and Order in the State of Georgia
  331. EO 12617December 17, 1987President's Advisory Committee on Mediation and Conciliation
  332. EO 12618December 22, 1987Uniform Treatment of Federally Funded Inventions
  333. EO 12619December 24, 1987Half-Day Closing of Government Departments and Agencies on Thursday,
  334. EO 12620December 24, 1987Delegation of Authority With Respect to the Administration of Justice Program
  335. EO 12621December 29, 1987President's Task Force on Market Mechanisms
  336. EO 12622December 31, 1987Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay and Allowances
  337. EO 12623January 6, 1988Delegating Authority To Implement Assistance to the Nicaraguan Democratic Resistance
  338. EO 12624January 6, 1988Increasing the Number of Members on the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board
  339. EO 12625January 27, 1988Integrity and Efficiency in Federal Programs
  340. EO 12626February 25, 1988National Defense Stockpile Manager
  341. EO 12627February 29, 1988Amending the President's Commission on Privatization
  342. EO 12628March 8, 1988United Nations Industrial Development Organization
  343. EO 12629March 9, 1988Nuclear Cooperation With EURATOM
  344. EO 12630March 16, 1988Governmental Actions and Interference With Constitutionally Protected Property Rights
  345. EO 12631March 18, 1988Working Group on Financial Markets
  346. EO 12632March 23, 1988Exclusions From the Federal Labor- Management Relations Program
  347. EO 12633March 28, 1988Amending the Code of Conduct for Members of the Armed Forces of the United States
  348. EO 12634April 1, 1988Delegating Authority to Provide Assistance and Support for Peace, Democracy, and Reconciliation in Central America
  349. EO 12635April 8, 1988Prohibiting Certain Transactions With Respect to Panama
  350. EO 12636April 20, 1988Establishment of Emergency Board No. 213 To Investigate a Railroad Labor Dispute
  351. EO 12637April 27, 1988Productivity Improvement Program for the Federal GovernmentRevoked
  352. EO 12638April 28, 1988Delegation of Functions Relating to the Implementation of the Inter-American Convention on Letters Rogatory and Additional Protocol
  353. EO 12639May 6, 1988Administration of Foreign Relations and Related Functions
  354. EO 12640May 10, 1988The President's Committee on Employment of People With DisabilitiesRevoked
  355. EO 12641May 20, 1988John C. Stennis Space Center
  356. EO 12642June 8, 1988Designation of the Secretary of Defense as the Presidential Designee Under Title I of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act
  357. EO 12643June 23, 1988International Committee of the Red Cross
  358. EO 12644July 9, 1988Establishment of Emergency Board No. 214 To Investigate a Railroad Labor Dispute
  359. EO 12645July 12, 1988Amending Executive Order 12364, Relating to the Presidential Management Intern Program
  360. EO 12646July 13, 1988Establishment of Emergency Board No. 215 To Investigate a Railroad Labor Dispute
  361. EO 12647August 2, 1988Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency
  362. EO 12648August 11, 1988Relating to the Implementation of the Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction
  363. EO 12649August 11, 1988Offsets in Military-Related ExportsRevoked
  364. EO 12650September 9, 1988Establishing an Emergency Board To Investigate a Railway Labor Dispute
  365. EO 12651September 9, 1988Offices of the Commission of the European Communities
  366. EO 12652September 19, 1988Return of Authority To Administer Federal Employees' Compensation Act to the Department of Labor From the Panama Canal Commission
  367. EO 12653September 29, 1988Amending Executive Order 11183, Relating to the President's Commission on White House Fellowships
  368. EO 12654October 7, 1988Delegating Authority to Provide Assistance for the Nicaraguan Resistance
  369. EO 12655November 7, 1988Establishment of an Emergency Board To Investigate a Railroad Labor Dispute
  370. EO 12656November 18, 1988Assignment of Emergency Preparedness ResponsibilitiesAmended
  371. EO 12657November 18, 1988Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance in Emergency Preparedness Planning at Commercial Nuclear Power PlantsAmended
  372. EO 12658November 18, 1988President's Commission on Catastrophic Nuclear Accidents
  373. EO 12659December 15, 1988Delegation of Authority Regarding the Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves
  374. EO 12660December 16, 1988National Microgravity Research Board
  375. EO 12661December 27, 1988Implementing the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 and Related International Trade Matters
  376. EO 12662December 31, 1988Implementing the United States-Canada Free-Trade Implementation Act
  377. EO 12663January 6, 1989Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay and Allowances
  378. EO 12664January 6, 1989Establishment of Emergency Board No. 218 To Investigate a Railroad Labor Dispute
  379. EO 12665January 12, 1989Amending Executive Order No. 12658, President's Commission on Catastrophic Nuclear Accidents
  380. EO 12666January 12, 1989Exclusions From the Federal Labor- Management Relations Program
  381. EO 12667January 18, 1989Presidential RecordsRevoked

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. Reagan issued no pardons in the Iran-Contra affair; his successor pardoned six people involved.

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

W. Mark Felt and Edward MillerPardonApril 15, 1981

The crime: Conspiracy to violate civil rights by authorizing illegal FBI break-ins at homes of relatives and friends of Weather Underground members (convicted 1980)

Sentence: Fines of $5,000 and $3,500

Why it drew attention: Senior FBI officials. Felt was revealed in 2005 as 'Deep Throat', the Watergate source.

Source
George SteinbrennerPardonJanuary 19, 1989

The crime: Illegal contributions to Nixon's 1972 campaign and obstruction of justice (pleaded guilty 1974)

Sentence: $15,000 fine

Why it drew attention: Owner of the New York Yankees; pardoned on Reagan's last full day.

Source
Junior JohnsonPardonDecember 26, 1986

The crime: Operating an illegal moonshine still (1956)

Sentence: Two years (11 months served)

Why it drew attention: NASCAR legend.

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
Iran-Contra affairProven1985–1987

Officials secretly sold weapons to Iran, which was under an arms embargo, hoping to free hostages, and diverted the profits to Contra rebels in Nicaragua despite a law barring such aid.

Outcome: Reagan admitted trading arms for hostages; 11 officials convicted (two overturned); six pardoned by his successor.

Source
HUD scandalProven1981–1989

Housing Department officials steered federal subsidies to developers who hired well-connected Republicans as consultants.

Outcome: An independent counsel won 16 convictions.

Source
EPA Superfund scandalProven1982–1983

Officials were accused of mismanaging the toxic-waste cleanup fund and favoring polluters.

Outcome: EPA head Anne Gorsuch Burford was held in contempt of Congress and resigned; an assistant administrator was convicted of perjury.

Source
WedtechProven1986–1988

A Bronx defense contractor won no-bid contracts through bribery and political connections.

Outcome: About 20 convictions, including two congressmen; Attorney General Meese was investigated and resigned.

Source
Firing the air traffic controllersDisputedAugust 1981

He fired more than 11,000 striking air traffic controllers, whose strike was illegal under federal law, and banned them from rehiring.

Outcome: Admired as decisive by supporters; blamed by unions for weakening organized labor.

Source
Response to AIDSDisputed1981–1987

He did not speak publicly at length about AIDS until 1987, by which time more than 20,000 Americans had died.

Outcome: Critics say the delay cost lives; defenders point to rising research funding.

Source

In their own words

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

Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.

January 20, 1981 · First inaugural address, speaking about the economic crisis of the time. Source

A few months ago I told the American people I did not trade arms for hostages. My heart and my best intentions still tell me that's true, but the facts and the evidence tell me it is not.

March 4, 1987 · Address to the nation on Iran-Contra. Source

Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

June 12, 1987 · Speech at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin. 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.