Definition
Policies issued by an administration in its final weeks or days, often quietly, to lock in ideological preferences before the next administration takes office.
Example Usage
The outgoing administration issued dozens of midnight regulations to frustrate their successors.
Origin
Emerged as standard practice during presidential transitions.
Fun Fact
Midnight regulations are often overturned by successor administrations, creating an endless cycle of regulatory reversal.
Source: Administrative law and executive procedure terminology
Related Terms
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