What are commands issued by the President that hold the force of law called?

The correct answer is executive orders. Executive orders are directives issued by the President to manage the operations of the federal government. They have the force of law and can direct government agencies and officials in various policy implementations. This authority allows the President to enact policies and make changes within the executive branch without needing legislative approval.

Presidential proclamations, while also issued by the President, tend to be more ceremonial or declarative, such as declaring a national holiday or designating a specific day for public observance. Legal mandates are not specifically a term used for commands by the President, and formal directives, while they might sound similar, do not have the recognized legal standing that executive orders do within the context of presidential powers. Thus, executive orders are the specific and correct term for commands issued by the President that carry legal weight.