Presidential directive

[5] The classification of presidential directives is not easily done, as the distinction between the types can be quite arbitrary, arising from convenience and bureaucratic evolution,[6] and none are defined in the Constitution.

[8] As one legal scholar put it, "it is a bit misleading to overclassify presidential directives as comprising separate and distinct 'types' just because they have different headings at the top of the first page.

[12] Direct repeal by Congress is quite rare in modern times, because it may be necessary to override a presidential veto,[13] which requires an elusive two-thirds supermajority in both chambers.

[8] A researcher for the Congressional Research Service in 2008 found that in "general, indications are that, during at least the past 40 years, presidential directives published in the Federal Register in forms other than those of executive orders, or proclamations, have been denominated as administrative orders when reproduced in CFR Title 3 compilations.

[29] Generally, such directives are highly classified, are not required to be published in the Federal Register,[30] and are available to the public only after "a great many years" have elapsed.

[39] Presidents often make oral announcements which can be classified as presidential directives, such as Bill Clinton's inauguration of the National Performance Review on 3 March 1993.