The Takeaway is a weekly public policy news program featuring an energetic conversation about issues that matter to you. Hosts Celeste Headlee and John Hockenberry provide analysis of the day's global headlines from a straight-forward, no-nonsense approach.

Donald Trump has been President for just over a month now, and he's wasting no time getting down to business. In fact, he has already signed a number of executive orders - and there may be more on the way.

Here are five things you should know about Trump's executive orders

1. They're not all created equal

Trump has issued several types of executive orders those that direct agencies to do certain things; those that rescind or modify previous orders; and those that simply declare a policy, as opposed to directing any specific action. The first two types have the most real-world impact.

2. They're meant to be temporary

When Congress is out of session, the President can use executive orders to fill legislative gaps. But they should go away once Congress gets back in session - which, after all, is when the real lawmaking should happen.

3. There's a process for them

Before Trump signed any of his first batch of executive orders, he got legal and policy advice from the Justice Department and Office of Management and Budget. This isn't just due diligence; it's required by the Constitution. (The Takeaway has more on this here.)

4. They can be challenged in court

If you don't like what Trump has ordered, you might want to challenge it - but not right away. There are three types of challenges that can be brought against executive orders immediate judicial review; a lawsuit claiming the order is unconstitutional; or a lawsuit challenging the way the order was issued.

5. They're not always popular

It's not surprising that Trump's been issuing controversial executive orders, especially given their nature and how they were issued. But you don't have to like them - or agree with them - in order for them to be legal.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.