Within hours of assuming the presidency, President Biden signed a flurry of executive orders. He rejoined the Paris climate agreement, repealed the so-called Muslim travel ban and mandated the wearing of masks on federal property.

The actions had a theme: They either reversed former President Donald Trump’s actions or rebuked his general policy approach.

But governing by decree has a downside. We look at the potential positives of the orders and point out the pitfalls.

Guest: Michael D. Shear, a White House correspondent for The New York Times. 

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Background reading: 

• Mr. Biden’s actions on Day 1 included orders on immigration, criminal justice and the climate.
• Here are the president’s 17 executive orders and other directives in detail.
• The U.S. has some catching up to do on the Paris climate agreement. Here’s an explainer on the history of the accord.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily