Trump Signs Executive Order Reforming Foreign Service

President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on Feb. 10, 2025. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Feb. 12 meant to establish a sole voice for foreign service activities and help strengthen his policy agenda.

“The order guarantees a strong and effective approach to international relations that always serves U.S. interests first,” a statement from the White House reads. “No longer will America be taken advantage of by foreign nations or by rogue actors who undermine our sovereignty or security.”

Established in 1980 by the Foreign Service Act, the diplomatic corps is responsible for maintaining diplomacy and managing foreign relations.

Updated policies are intended to improve service processes and procedures while ensuring that the most qualified and committed individuals serve as foreign service personnel.

The order affirms the hierarchy of diplomatic relations, with the president overseeing all directives and authorizing actions.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is instructed to hold authority over foreign and civil service officers and to update the guidelines to improve hiring practices including recruiting, evaluation, performance, and retention.

Failing to follow the president’s foreign policy plan is grounds for termination, according to the law.

Rubio is additionally empowered to replace or revise the existing guidelines, including the Foreign Affairs Manual—a document prepared by the State Department to provide guidance for staff and contractors.

The changes are aimed at ensuring the president’s foreign policy agendas are implemented effectively and efficiently.

“President Trump is committed to safeguarding the integrity of U.S. foreign policy by ensuring that America’s interests are prioritized through a unified diplomatic voice, with related personnel held accountable to the President’s vision,” the White House said in a statement.

Some foreign service officers could also face impacts from Trump’s reevaluation of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The newly established Department of Government Efficiency, led by Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, says it has identified billions of dollars in “wasteful” spending and a lack of oversight within USAID.

With the president’s order to temporarily freeze foreign aid while the review is underway, some foreign service personnel and USAID programs are facing uncertain futures, according to posts from some service officers on social media.

Thousands of USAID employees, representing approximately 97 percent of the agency’s staff, were notified last week that they were being placed on administrative leave at the end of the day on Feb. 7.

The American Foreign Service Association subsequently filed a lawsuit on Feb. 11 challenging the actions affecting USAID, alleging that the layoffs and funding freeze raise “national security” concerns.

Since taking office for his second term on Jan. 20, Trump has prioritized international relations to help strengthen U.S. economic interests.

He also signed an order titled the “America First Policy Directive,” instructing the secretary of state to always emphasize the interests of the United States and its citizens when negotiating with foreign nations.

Creating “peace through strength” is a recurring theme of the Trump administration, highlighted by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Feb. 12.