Presidential Emergency Action Documents (PEADs) are executive orders, proclamations, and messages to Congress that are prepared in anticipation of a range of emergency scenarios.

Through these documents, we know that there were 56 PEADs in effect as of 2018, up from 48 a couple of decades earlier. PEADs undergo periodic revision; although we do not know what PEADs contain today, we know that PEADs in past years—

authorized detention of “alien enemies” and other “dangerous persons” within the United States;

suspended the writ of habeas corpus by presidential order;

provided for various forms of martial law;

issued a general warrant permitting search and seizure of persons and property;

established military areas such as those created during World War II;

suspended production of the Federal Register;

declared a State of War; and

authorized censorship of news reports.

https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/presidential-emergency-action-documents