March 19, 2025 Removing Discrimination and Discriminatory Equity Ideology From the Foreign Service - Executive Order

Purpose and Policy

The memorandum directs the removal of policies related to "discriminatory equity ideology" from hiring and evaluation processes within the Foreign Service. It asserts that all hiring and promotions in foreign policy positions should be based solely on merit rather than diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) principles.

Key Provisions

1. Definition of Terms:

   • "Discriminatory equity ideology" is defined as per Executive Order 14190 (January 29, 2025).

   • The terms "Department," "Foreign Service," and "Secretary" are defined according to U.S. Code (22 U.S.C. 3902 and 22 U.S.C. 3903).

2. Revisions to Foreign Service Tenure and Promotion Criteria:

   • The Secretary of State must revise the 2022-2025 Decision Criteria for Tenure and Promotion in the Foreign Service to remove the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Core Precept.

   • Employees must no longer use DEIA as a criterion in hiring, promotion, or retention.

3. Mandates for Hiring and Personnel Decisions:

   • Foreign Service recruitment, hiring, and promotion decisions cannot be based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

   • Officers and employees are prohibited from advocating or promoting discriminatory equity ideology while acting in an official capacity.

4. Review of Past Discrimination Cases:

   • Departments must investigate whether Foreign Service members have engaged in illegal discrimination based on protected characteristics.

   • If discrimination is found, Secretaries must take "appropriate action" against those appointed under their authority.

   • For Presidential appointees, Secretaries may refer cases to the President for consideration or take action under their own authority, consistent with Executive Order 14211 (February 12, 2025, "One Voice for America’s Foreign Relations").

     
     

General Provisions

• The memorandum does not override existing legal authorities of executive departments.

• Implementation is subject to the availability of appropriations.

• The memorandum does not create legally enforceable rights against the U.S. Government.

  
  

Implications and Context

• This directive represents a policy shift from previous DEIA initiatives in the Foreign Service.

• It aligns with Executive Order 14190, which addresses educational policies related to equity ideology.

• The memorandum suggests a return to a merit-based approach in foreign policy hiring while explicitly prohibiting discriminatory practices.

• Future hiring and personnel policies will likely be assessed for compliance with this directive, impacting recruitment and promotions in the State Department and affiliated agencies.

  
  

This memorandum indicates a significant restructuring of the Foreign Service’s approach to personnel management, emphasizing merit-based hiring and promotion while eliminating DEIA-related criteria from official evaluation processes.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/removing-discrimination-and-discriminatory-equity-ideology-from-the-foreign-service/

Writer's Note: Summary made with the use of AI tools for editing and quick processing, facts checked against the order before publishing.