Final answer:
Legal orders signed by a commander can often be categorized as executive orders, which are mandates that have the force of law and are used to implement policy and direct administration without needing new legislation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Legal orders signed by a commander, such as those made by a president, are commonly referred to as executive orders. These are direct mandates or official instructions that have the force of law, issued by the president to federal agencies or officials. Executive orders are an important tool for presidents to implement policies and change how laws are executed without the need for new legislation passed by Congress.
For instance, Executive Order No. 9981 signed in 1948 by President Truman, which desegregated the armed forces, is a clear example of such a directive. Similarly, President Eisenhower's EO 10730 used to subdue a mob and dispatch the military is another demonstration of the use of executive orders in the context of national security and the president's role as commander-in-chief. These historical examples highlight the impactful nature of executive orders on governance and public policy.
While some may view executive orders as a use, or sometimes abuse, of executive discretion, they remain a crucial aspect of the presidential powers, especially when the nation's security is at stake or during times of war, where rapid and decisive action is required.