President Donald Trump has taken decisive action to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies from U.S. Foreign Service hiring and promotion practices, restoring a merit-based approach to federal employment. The executive order, signed this week, removes DEI considerations from recruitment, advancement, and promotion decisions within the Department of State, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to fairness, qualifications, and experience over identity politics.
Key Directives of Trump’s Executive Order:
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Elimination of DEI Hiring Preferences: Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been directed to strip all DEI-related factors from the State Department’s recruitment guidelines, ensuring that hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications and performance—not race, gender, or political ideology.
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Removal of DEI from Promotion Standards: Trump’s order rescinds the “Decision Criteria for Tenure and Promotion in the Foreign Service”—a document implemented under Biden that required DEI commitments as a factor in promotions. Moving forward, Foreign Service officers will advance based on merit alone.
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Prohibition of DEI Advocacy in Official Capacity: Foreign Service employees will no longer be allowed to promote or enforce DEI-related policies in their official roles. The administration views such initiatives as “discriminatory equity ideology” that weakens the effectiveness of America’s diplomatic corps.
Trump Administration’s Stance on DEI:
President Trump has long been critical of DEI initiatives, calling them “illegal and immoral discrimination programs” that undermine the core principles of equal opportunity. His administration has already dismantled DEI programs across multiple federal agencies, viewing them as a waste of taxpayer dollars and an obstacle to hiring the most qualified individuals.
Impact on Federal Hiring and Foreign Service Operations:
By ending DEI-based hiring and promotion policies, the Trump administration is ensuring that U.S. diplomats and State Department personnel earn their positions based on ability, experience, and competence—rather than meeting diversity quotas. This shift reflects a broader effort to reform federal hiring practices, ensuring that all government employees are selected for their expertise, not their identity.
Left-Wing Backlash and Potential Legal Challenges:
Unsurprisingly, Democrats and left-wing activists have criticized the move, claiming it will reverse “progress” on diversity and alleging it may harm minority hiring efforts. Some groups are threatening legal challenges, arguing that DEI elimination could violate existing bureaucratic guidelines. However, the administration stands firm, emphasizing that federal hiring must prioritize excellence, not activism.
A Return to Competence Over Identity Politics
As the State Department transitions back to merit-based hiring, Trump’s leadership ensures that America’s diplomats and foreign service professionals will be chosen based on skill, experience, and results—not arbitrary DEI mandates. The move marks yet another step toward restoring common sense in government and putting America First on the world stage.