Executive Order 14211

One Voice for America's Foreign Relations

Signed February 12, 2025, printed at 90 FR 9831. 5 sections of substance, 801 words.

In plain English

This order says foreign policy is set by the President alone. Staff who work abroad must follow that line.

Sec. 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.

In plain English

This sets out the case the order makes. It says the Constitution gives the President foreign policy. It says he relies on the State Department to carry it out. It says the Secretary leads that work. It says he must keep a workforce fit for it.

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.

In plain English

This states the policy. Staff who carry out foreign policy answer to the President. Failing to carry it out is grounds for discipline. That may go as far as dismissal. Agency staff rules must allow that. They must give an effective way to enforce it.

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

In plain English

This defines the terms. Four of them take their meaning from federal law. Those are Department, Service, Foreign Service and Secretary. A civil service worker means a citizen on the staff. That does not include Foreign Service members. Other staff means people hired abroad. It also covers some short term staff.

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.

In plain English

This is about staff discipline. It applies when conduct or work warrants action. For staff the Secretary named, he acts himself. He does so under the eye of the President. For staff the President named, he weighs a referral. That choice is his alone to make.

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. [[Page 9832]] (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

In plain English

This calls for change at the State Department. The Secretary must reform the Foreign Service. Hiring, reviews and retention rules must change. Training programs must change too. The main staff manual must be revised or replaced. Handbooks and guidance below it must follow.

Sec. 6. 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 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. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, February 12, 2025. [FR Doc. 2025-02841 Filed 2-14-25; 11:15 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.