Government Glossary
Presidential Memorandum
A presidential directive or statement often used to instruct agencies or announce policy.
Plain-English Meaning
Why it matters: the phrase gives visitors a clue about which institution, power, deadline, document, or public process they are dealing with. Understanding Presidential Memorandum helps a reader move from a headline or form label to the branch, office, rule, or record that actually controls the issue.
How to use it: when this term appears, identify who has authority, what action is being taken, and where the public record can be checked. Good starting points usually include agency pages, Federal Register notices, regulations, or official program guidance.