Final answer:
Executive orders are directives with the force of law, while signing statements are interpretations of how the president will enforce legislation. Executive orders can establish or modify policies, whereas signing statements primarily guide the implementation of laws passed by Congress.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of signing statements by presidents differs from the use of executive orders in that signing statements are issued when a president agrees to legislation, indicating how the chief executive will interpret and enforce the legislation, whereas executive orders are directives to administrators in the executive branch on how to implement legislation or create policy independently.
While both can influence policy, executive orders usually establish new policies or modify existing ones and have the force of law, subject to judicial review. In contrast, signing statements are a president's interpretation of a law and may suggest how it should be executed or indicate provisions the president believes to be unconstitutional.
A signing statement can alter the implementation of a law if the president intends it to do so. Notably, signing statements became more common in modern times, with President George W. Bush using them significantly to claim the right to ignore or refuse to enforce laws based on his constitutional interpretations.
In the realm of national security, foreign policy, and war, presidential actions are often more unilateral, and the executive branch takes the lead. Executive orders have been used historically to make significant policy changes, such as the Emancipation Proclamation and the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII.
However, they can be easily rescinded by a subsequent president. Such reversals demonstrate the impermanence of executive orders compared to legislation that is passed through Congress.