Executive Order 14185

Restoring America's Fighting Force

Signed January 27, 2025, printed at 90 FR 8763. 7 sections of substance, 1,008 words.

In plain English

This order ends race and sex based programs in the armed forces. It says promotion should rest on merit alone.

Sec. 1. Purpose

As Chief Executive and as Commander in Chief, I am committed to meritocracy and to the elimination of race-based and sex-based discrimination within the Armed Forces of the United States. No individual or group within our Armed Forces should be preferred or disadvantaged on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, color, or creed. Unfortunately, in recent years civilian and uniformed leadership alike have implemented Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and their attendant race and sex preferences within the Armed Forces. These actions undermine leadership, merit, and unit cohesion, thereby eroding lethality and force readiness. They also violate Americans' consciences by engaging in invidious race and sex discrimination.

In plain English

This sets out the case the order makes. It says the armed forces should reward merit. It says no one should gain or lose by race or sex. It says DEI programs took hold in recent years. It says they weaken trust in a unit. It ties that to readiness for battle.

Sec. 2. Policy

It is the policy of my Administration that the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security with regard to the United States Coast Guard (USCG), and every element of the Armed Forces should operate free from any preference based on race or sex.

In plain English

This states the policy. The defense department must show no preference by race. The same holds for sex. The homeland security department is covered for the Coast Guard. Every part of the armed forces is covered. All must operate free of such preference.

Sec. 3. Definitions

(a) A ``DEI office'' means an office, division, job, or other unit of an institution established for the purpose of: (i) influencing hiring or employment practices at the institution with respect to race, sex, color, or ethnicity, other than through the use of color-blind and sex-neutral hiring processes; or (ii) promoting differential treatment of or providing special benefits to individuals on the basis of race, sex, color, or ethnicity. (b) The term ``gender ideology'' has the meaning given to that term in section 2(f) of the Executive Order of January 20, 2025, (Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government). (c) The term ``divisive concepts'' has the meaning given to that term in section 2(a) of Executive Order 13950 of September 22, 2020 (Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping).

In plain English

This defines the terms. A DEI office is one set up to shape hiring by race or sex. It also covers offices that give special benefits that way. Color blind hiring is not covered. Gender ideology takes its meaning from another order. So does the phrase divisive concepts, from a 2020 order.

Sec. 4. Abolishing the DEI Bureaucracy

The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall abolish every DEI office within the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security with regard to the USCG, respectively, including any vestiges of DEI offices, such as sub-offices, programs, elements, or initiatives established to promote a race- based preferences system that subverts meritocracy, perpetuates unconstitutional discrimination, and promotes divisive concepts or gender ideology.

In plain English

This closes those offices. Two agency heads must shut them down. That covers Defense and the Coast Guard. Smaller units under them are covered too. So are programs and projects of the same kind. The order says such work sets race above merit.

Sec. 5. Department of Defense Internal Review

The Secretary of Defense shall conduct an internal review that documents actions taken in pursuit of DEI initiatives, including all instances of race and sex discrimination and activities designed to promote a race- or sex-based preferences system. The report shall be delivered to the Secretary of Defense within 90 days of the date of this order. [[Page 8764]]

In plain English

This orders an internal review. The defense secretary must run it. It must record every action taken for diversity programs. Cases of race discrimination must be listed. So must cases based on sex. Work to build a preference system counts too. The report is due in 90 days.

Sec. 6. Protecting American Values

(a) The Department of Defense and the Armed Forces, including any educational institution operated or controlled thereby, are prohibited from promoting, advancing, or otherwise inculcating the following un-American, divisive, discriminatory, radical, extremist, and irrational theories: (i) ``divisive concepts,'' as defined in section 3(c) of this order, and ``race or sex stereotyping,'' or ``race or sex scapegoating'' as both terms are defined in section 2 of Executive Order 13950, as amended; (ii) that America's founding documents are racist or sexist; and (iii) ``gender ideology,'' as defined in section 3(b) of this order. (b) The Department of Defense and the Armed Forces shall not hire employees, contractors, or consultants to teach the theories set forth in subsection (a) of this section. (c) The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall carefully review the

In plain English

This bars certain teachings. Defense and the armed forces may not push them. That covers schools they run. The list names divisive concepts and race or sex stereotyping. It also names the claim that the founding papers are racist. Gender ideology is on the list. No one may be hired to teach those ideas.

Sec. 7. Implementation

(a) The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall issue detailed guidance for the implementation of this order to their respective departments within 30 days of the date of this order. (b) Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit a report through the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy documenting the progress of their respective Departments in implementing this order, and any recommendations for action to fulfill the objectives of this order.

In plain English

This sets the steps. Two agency heads must issue guidance in 30 days. That guidance goes to their own departments. Within 180 days they must report on progress. The report goes through a White House aide. It may also suggest further action.

Sec. 8. Severability

Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.

If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

In plain English

This is the standard severability clause. If a court strikes down part of the order, the rest still stands.

Sec. 9. General Provisions

Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.

(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, 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. [[Page 8765]] (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. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, January 27, 2025. [FR Doc. 2025-02181 Filed 1-31-25; 8:45 am] Billing code 3395-F4-P </pre></body> </html>

In plain English

This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.

How this order is quoted

Each section is quoted as the order prints it, under its own number and heading. Executive orders are United States government works and are not under copyright. Long sections are cut at a sentence and the whole order is a click away.