Published on March 19, 2025
This presidential memorandum aims to eliminate "discriminatory equity ideology" from the Foreign Service by removing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility considerations from hiring and promotion criteria. The action directs the removal of the Core Precept related to DEIA from the Decision Criteria for Tenure and Promotion and prohibits Foreign Service recruitment decisions based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It also establishes a process to investigate and take action against Foreign Service Members who have allegedly engaged in discrimination.
While framed as promoting merit-based hiring and preventing discrimination, this action appears designed to dismantle existing diversity initiatives under the guise of fairness. The vague definition of "discriminatory equity ideology" and broad investigative powers granted could be used to target and remove officials who have previously supported diversity programs or challenged systemic inequities. The memorandum's language effectively redefines anti-discrimination efforts as discrimination itself, potentially creating a chilling effect on any attempts to address historical or structural inequities within the Foreign Service.
Though presented as an effort to ensure fair, merit-based hiring practices, this memorandum could effectively reverse progress made in creating a more representative Foreign Service that reflects America's diverse population. The combination of removing diversity considerations and establishing punitive measures against undefined "discriminatory equity ideology" suggests an attempt to reshape the diplomatic corps' demographic composition while silencing discussion of systemic inequities.
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 EquityIdeology 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(c) “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. (c) 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. (c) 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