On Wednesday, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at reversing water pressure restrictions on showerheads imposed during the Biden administration. The announcement came from the Oval Office, where Trump reiterated his frustration with what he called “ridiculous” regulations that limit the amount of water Americans can use in their showers.
Trump humorously remarked, “In my case, I like to take a nice shower to take care of my beautiful hair,” referencing the low water flow that he claims forces people to spend far more time than necessary under the nozzle. “It comes out — drip, drip, drip,” he added, drawing laughter from those in attendance. The issue has been a recurring theme in Trump’s past speeches and campaign trail grievances dating back to 2020.
The core of Trump’s executive order centers on eliminating a Biden-era reversal of a 2020 Trump administration rule. That earlier rule had allowed each showerhead nozzle to deliver up to 2.5 gallons of water per minute. In contrast, the Obama-era rule — reinstated by President Biden in 2021 — capped total water flow at 2.5 gallons per minute across all nozzles, not per individual one.
???? @POTUS signs an Executive Order to end the Obama-Biden war on water pressure and Make America's Showers Great Again pic.twitter.com/NO4qaOj0xv
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 9, 2025
The Biden administration defended the regulation on conservation grounds. “As many parts of America experience historic droughts, this commonsense proposal means consumers can purchase showerheads that conserve water and save them money on their utility bills,” said Kelly Speakes-Backman, a Department of Energy official, according to the Associated Press. The underlying goal was to reduce water waste and promote sustainability through appliance efficiency standards.
But critics of the policy argue that such restrictions ignore functionality, comfort, and consumer preference. They contend that government mandates like these disrupt product performance and unnecessarily insert federal oversight into daily life. Trump’s move is part of a broader promise to eliminate what he calls “overregulation” across American households, extending beyond showers to dishwashers, washing machines, and toilets.
A White House fact sheet on the executive order stated, “Overregulation chokes the American economy, entrenches bureaucrats, and stifles personal freedom.” It continued, “By restoring shower freedom, President Trump is honoring his commitment to cut unnecessary regulations and put Americans first.”
The order instructs the Secretary of Energy to officially rescind the Biden-era definition in the Federal Register. The change will take effect 30 days after its publication. Trump also noted that he hopes Congress will codify these changes — along with other recent initiatives, such as his push against paper straw mandates — so they can’t be easily undone by future administrations.
While the subject of showerhead water pressure may seem trivial to some, the debate reflects a deeper philosophical divide over the role of government in regulating consumer behavior. It’s part of a broader conversation about whether the federal government should prioritize environmental goals over individual convenience and market-driven innovation.
This action speaks to a growing fatigue among Americans with rules that seem designed more to satisfy ideological objectives than to improve real-world living conditions. Whether it’s appliances, plumbing fixtures, or packaging materials, the trend of federal micromanagement has become increasingly invasive. Trump’s move, though symbolic in part, taps into a sentiment that’s growing louder: people want the freedom to choose the products that work best for their lives without bureaucratic interference.
