EO 14211: One Voice for America's Foreign Relations
ANALYSIS: This order emphasizes the President's constitutional authority over foreign policy and mandates that all personnel involved in implementing foreign policy adhere strictly to the President's directives. It outlines reforms in the Foreign Service, including changes in recruitment, performance evaluations, retention standards, and the programs of the Foreign Service Institute, to ensure alignment with the President's foreign policy agenda. Additionally, the order directs the Secretary of State to revise or replace the Foreign Affairs Manual and related guidance to reflect these reforms.
A key aspect of Project 2025 is to consolidate executive power, particularly in areas like foreign policy, by ensuring that federal agencies and personnel strictly follow the President's directives. Executive Order 14211 aligns with Project 2025's objectives by reinforcing the President's control over foreign policy implementation and restructuring the Foreign Service to ensure compliance with the administration's agenda.
Executive Order 14211 could undermine the traditional nonpartisan nature of the Foreign Service, leading to the potential politicization of diplomatic efforts. The emphasis on strict adherence to the President's policies may discourage Foreign Service officers from providing unbiased analysis and advice, which are crucial for informed decision-making in foreign affairs. Furthermore, the directive to revise or replace the Foreign Affairs Manual could result in significant changes to established diplomatic protocols and procedures, potentially affecting the consistency and effectiveness of U.S. foreign policy.
CONCLUSION: Executive Order 14211 seeks to centralize control over U.S. foreign policy in the executive branch, reflecting the goals of Project 2025. However, this centralization raises concerns about the potential erosion of nonpartisan diplomacy and the effectiveness of foreign policy implementation.
No direct reference. (Project 2025 stresses that U.S. foreign policy should be centralized under the President, but it does not detail an order like this. The EO, which likely restricts independent diplomacy by agencies, aligns with the plan’s America First unity in foreign policy but wasn’t explicitly in the text.)
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1 . Purpose. Article II of the United States Constitution vests the power to conduct foreign policy in the President of the United States. Presidents rely on their Secretaries of State and their subordinate officials to ensure that the United States is served and protected at home and abroad. As the principal steward of the President's foreign policy, the Secretary must maintain an exceptional workforce of patriots to implement this policy effectively.
Sec. 2 . Policy. All officers or employees charged with implementing the foreign policy of the United States must under Article II do so under the direction and authority of the President. Failure to faithfully implement the President's policy is grounds for professional discipline, including separation. The personnel procedures of executive departments and agencies (agencies) charged with implementing the President's foreign policy must therefore provide an effective and efficient means for ensuring that officers and employees faithfully implement the President's policies.
Sec. 3 . Definitions. For the purposes of this order:
(a) the terms “Department,” “Foreign Service,” “Service,” and “Secretary” shall have the meaning given those terms by section 3902 of title 22, United States Code; and
(b) the term “members of the Foreign Service” shall have the same meaning as “members of the Service” under section 3903 of title 22, United States Code.
(c) the term “Civil Service employee” shall mean an employee of the Department holding United States citizenship, except for a member of the Foreign Service, as defined in section 2664a of title 22, United States Code.
(d) the term “other staff” shall mean locally employed staff and agents under the authority of sections 202(a)(4)(A) (22 U.S.C. 3922(a)(4)(A)) and 303 (22 U.S.C. 3943) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, or special Government employees of the Department as defined in section 202(a) of title 18, United States Code.
Sec. 4 . Election of Procedures. When the Secretary concludes that a member of the Foreign Service, a Civil Service employee, or other staff has demonstrated performance or conduct that warrants a personnel action, the Secretary shall, with respect to officials appointed by the Secretary or others within the Department, take appropriate action, subject to the supervision of the President, and shall, with respect to officials appointed by the President, preliminarily determine whether to refer such a matter for the President's consideration. Such preliminary determination shall be made in the Secretary's sole and exclusive discretion.
Sec. 5 . Foreign Service Reform. (a) The Secretary shall, consistent with applicable law, reform the Foreign Service and the administration of foreign relations to ensure faithful and effective implementation of the President's foreign policy agenda.
(b) The Secretary shall, consistent with applicable law, implement reforms in recruiting, performance, evaluation, and retention standards, and the programs of the Foreign Service Institute, to ensure a workforce that is committed to faithful implementation of the President's foreign policy.
(c) In implementing the reforms identified in this section, the Secretary shall, consistent with applicable law, revise or replace the Foreign Affairs Manual and direct subordinate agencies to remove, amend, or replace any handbooks, procedures, or guidance.
(d) The Secretary shall have sole and exclusive discretion in the exercise or delegation of the responsibilities enumerated in this order, and, as the Secretary deems necessary or appropriate, may prescribe additional procedures that subordinate officials shall follow in the performance of such responsibilities.
Sec. 6 . General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
