President Donald Trump made headlines on Wednesday with his latest effort to address what he calls weak showerhead water pressure. At the White House, he signed an executive order aimed at reversing restrictions put in place during the Biden administration. This move revives a long-standing issue for Trump, who has often complained about the water flow from showerheads.
During the signing ceremony, Trump joked about his own shower experiences, saying, “I have to stand in the shower for 15 minutes until it gets wet. It comes out — drip, drip, drip. It’s ridiculous.” His comments drew laughter from those present in the Oval Office.
This executive order is part of Trump’s broader agenda to roll back regulations he believes hinder consumer choice. The order specifically targets a Biden-era rule that redefined showerheads to limit water flow to 2.5 gallons per minute across all nozzles. Under Trump’s previous administration, the standard was modified to allow each nozzle to deliver up to 2.5 gallons per minute, which many argued would increase water usage.
The Biden administration had argued that stricter water flow limits are essential for conservation, especially as many regions in the U.S. face drought conditions. Kelly Speakes-Backman from the Energy Department stated that the proposal was aimed at helping consumers save water and reduce utility costs.
On the first day of his new term, Trump emphasized his commitment to energy policies that would give consumers more choices in appliances, including showerheads. The recent executive order directs the Secretary of Energy to publish a notice in the Federal Register to rescind the Biden definition, with the change taking effect 30 days after publication.
A White House fact sheet highlighted Trump’s stance against overregulation, claiming it stifles personal freedom and harms the economy. The administration believes that by allowing greater water flow in showerheads, they are fulfilling a promise to cut unnecessary regulations.
Trump hinted that he might seek support from Congress to solidify these changes, making them more permanent and resistant to future reversals. This push for higher shower water pressure is part of a larger pattern of his administration’s efforts to roll back various environmental regulations, including a recent order targeting paper straws.