Removing Discrimination and Discriminatory Equity Ideology From the Foreign Service
TLDR
This memorandum mandates the removal of the “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility” Core Precept from Foreign Service evaluation criteria, prohibits personnel decisions based on protected characteristics, forbids promotion of “discriminatory equity ideology” by officers, requires investigation of potential past discrimination, and establishes a framework for disciplinary action against those found to have engaged in such practices.
This memorandum aims to remove what it terms “discriminatory equity ideology” from the Foreign Service and outlines several key policy changes.
It directs the Secretary of State to revise the 2022-2025 Decision Criteria for Tenure and Promotion in the Foreign Service by removing the Core Precept entitled “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility”. This change would eliminate DEIA considerations from Foreign Service personnel evaluations.
The Secretaries are instructed to prohibit Foreign Service recruitment, hiring, promotion, or retention decisions based on an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Additionally, officers and employees are directed not to promote or advocate for “discriminatory equity ideology” while acting in official capacity.
The memorandum also requires the Secretaries to:
- Determine if any current Foreign Service Members have engaged in “unconstitutional or illegal discrimination” based on race or other protected characteristics
- Take “appropriate action” against Foreign Service Members appointed by a Secretary who are found to have engaged in such discrimination
- Consider referring Presidential appointees found to have engaged in such discrimination for the President’s consideration
This memorandum represents a significant policy shift in how diversity and inclusion are approached in the Foreign Service. It explicitly references and builds upon two other executive orders: EO 14190 (“Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling”) and EO 14211 (“One Voice for America’s Foreign Relations”).
The memorandum frames diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives as “divisive and discriminatory policies” that were “systematically embedded” into government hiring processes over the past four years. It positions merit as the sole criterion for hiring in foreign policy positions.
The directive effectively dismantles formal DEIA structures within the Foreign Service evaluation system while establishing a mechanism to potentially discipline Foreign Service officers who promoted such policies. This could significantly alter the composition and culture of the U.S. diplomatic corps, which has historically struggled with diversity issues.
The memorandum uses the term “discriminatory equity ideology” without providing a specific definition in the text itself, instead referring to another executive order for its meaning. This creates potential ambiguity about what specific actions or statements might be considered violations of the new policy.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR GLOBAL MEDIA
SUBJECT: Removing Discrimination and Discriminatory Equity Ideology From the Foreign Service
Section 1.
Policy and Purpose.
Over the last 4 years, divisive and discriminatory policies were systematically embedded into every part of the Federal Government, including hiring processes and employee performance evaluations in the Foreign Service. It is the policy of the Federal Government that hiring in foreign policy positions, like hiring in all other parts of the Government, shall be based solely on merit.
Sec. 2.
Definitions.
For the purposes of this memorandum:
(a) “discriminatory equity ideology” shall have the meaning given that phrase in section 2 of Executive Order 14190 of January 29, 2025 (Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling);
(b) “Department,” “Foreign Service,” and “Secretary” shall have the meanings given those terms in 22 U.S.C. 3902; and © “Foreign Service Member” means an individual described by 22 U.S.C. 3903.
Sec. 3.
Equality and Non-Discrimination in the Foreign Service.
(a) The Secretary of State shall, consistent with applicable law, promptly revise the 2022-2025 Decision Criteria for Tenure and Promotion in the Foreign Service, issued under section 2326.2 of title 3 of the Foreign Affairs Manual, to remove any reference to the Core Precept entitled “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility.” The Secretaries shall promptly direct all employees of their Departments not to give this Core Precept any force or effect.
(b) The Secretaries shall direct all officers and employees of their Departments not to:
(i) base Foreign Service recruitment, hiring, promotion, or retention decisions upon an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, or national origin; or
(ii) while acting in an official capacity, promote, advocate for, or otherwise inculcate support for discriminatory equity ideology.
© The Secretaries shall determine if any current Foreign Service Members have knowingly and willfully engaged in unconstitutional or otherwise illegal discrimination based upon race or other protected characteristics, including actions motivated by discriminatory equity ideology. Consistent with Executive Order 14211 of February 12, 2025 (One Voice for America’s Foreign Relations) the Secretaries shall:
(i) with respect to Foreign Service Members appointed by a Secretary whom that Secretary finds to have engaged in such discrimination, take appropriate action; and
(ii) with respect to Foreign Service Members appointed by the President, determine whether to refer any findings of discrimination for the President’s consideration or take appropriate action under the Secretary’s own authority.
Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this memorandum 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 memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
© This memorandum 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.
DONALD J. TRUMP