What Is PORD in Andor Season 2? Meaning Explained

Some fans might be confused about the meaning of PORD in Andor Season 2 after watching senator Mon Mothma attempt to fight against it in Episode 4. The bill in question was actually mentioned back in the first season and had significant consequences for Cassian, though viewers should forgive themselves for not remembering every legislative action enacted by The Empire. This also shouldn’t be confused with a character named Pord, a young pirate that appears in the computer-animated Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. Here’s an explanation and a reminder of what PORD is and why Mon Mothma is trying to “kill the PORD” in Andor Season 2.

What is the meaning of PORD in Andor?

PORD is an acronym for the Public Order Resentencing Directive, a decree enacted in 5 BBY that imposed harsher penalties and longer jail sentences for any criminal acts against the Galactic Empire.

Near the beginning of Episode 7 in Season 1, a meeting at the Imperial Security Bureau reveals that the Empire will be invoking PORD after Cassian, Vel, and her team successfully attack the dam in Aldhani. As explained, this policy made “any criminal act, with even indirect effect on the Empire” a Class One Offense and caused every prison sentence to be re-evaluated.

This decree is why Cassian gets unjustly locked up in Narkina 5 Imperial Prison Complex over an overly aggressive stop by a shoretrooper on Naimos. This is also why the prisoners at the facility eventually rebel since they learn that prisoners who had finished serving their sentence were being re-sentenced and sent back into the workforce.

Surprisingly, Dedra Meero vocalizes her disapproval of PORD in private, since she believes that this government overreach is playing into the hands of the rebels. She is correct in this assessment, since Luthen wants the Empire to tighten its grip so that the rebellion will grow.

Now in 3 BBY, Mon Mothma is attempting to get this act repealed and attempts to garner votes by other senators who would normally be behind her. But despite violations of civil liberties, sector boundaries, personal freedom, and respect for local traditions, they say it is a matter of security and that going against the Emperor would amount to political suicide. Even for the Ghorman senator, Oran, voting against the extension of PORD could backfire and make the Empire counter with a blockade that already left the planet vulnerable.

As Mothma notes, the PORD act was meant to be a short-term policy as a reaction to the Aldhani dam attack, but once the Empire has its grip on power, it’s difficult to turn the tide.