Published on January 20, 2025
This executive order establishes an "America First" foreign policy directive, mandating the Secretary of State to realign all Department of State operations, programs, and personnel to prioritize American interests above all else. The order includes standard legal provisions that preserve existing authorities and clarify that it creates no new legal rights or benefits.
While presented as a straightforward prioritization of American interests, the order's deliberately vague language around "core American interests" grants extensive discretionary power to the executive branch in interpreting and implementing foreign policy without clear oversight or specific parameters. The absence of defined metrics for "American interests" could enable the administration to justify virtually any foreign policy decision, potentially serving private or partisan interests while claiming to act in the national interest.
Though framed as a patriotic realignment of foreign policy priorities, this order effectively concentrates significant foreign policy authority within the executive branch through broad, undefined terms. The public should carefully monitor how "American interests" are defined and implemented in practice, as the order's ambiguity could enable significant shifts in foreign policy without meaningful congressional or public oversight.
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose. From this day forward, the foreign policy of the United States shall champion core American interests and always put America and American citizens first. Sec. 2. Policy. As soon as practicable, the Secretary of State shall issue guidance bringing the Department of State’s policies, programs, personnel, and operations in line with an America First foreign policy, which puts America and its interests first. Sec. 3. General Provisions. (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 (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. THE WHITE HOUSE, January 20, 2025.