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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Obama and Executive Overreach

Obama and Executive Overreach

The issue of executive overreach from President Obama was debated on “Fox News Sunday,” but on two issues, the rhetoric outpaced the facts.

Did FEMA Create a Youth Army?

Did FEMA Create a Youth Army?

Q: Did the Department of Homeland Security create a “standing army of government youth” known as FEMA Corps.
A: No. FEMA Corps is a civilian operation within AmeriCorps, a federal community service program. FEMA Corps prepares and responds to disasters. Its members, ages 18 to 24, carry no weapons.

Obama’s Executive Orders

Obama’s Executive Orders

Q: Has President Barack Obama signed 900 executive orders, some of which create martial law?
A: No. Obama’s executive orders do not create martial law. And so far he has signed 139 executive orders — not 900.

The United States of Interpol?

Q: Did Obama sign an order giving Interpol the right to police the U.S.?
A: No. The executive order Obama signed in December simply gives Interpol the same privileges that other international organizations operating in the U.S. already have.