President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Wednesday directing Secretary of State Marco Rubio to make changes to the Foreign Service to ensure his "America First" policy is implemented effectively and faithfully.
The order follows developments at the United States Agency for International Development, whose employees have been suspended or placed on furlough.
President Trump has repeatedly vowed to clean up what he calls the "state within the state," firing bureaucrats and those he considers disloyal.
The president's executive order states that failure to implement his agenda will be considered grounds for disciplinary action that could lead to dismissal.
"The Secretary (Marco Rubio) must have an extraordinary workforce of patriots to effectively implement this policy," the order said.
"The Secretary, in accordance with applicable law, will reform the Foreign Service and the administration of foreign affairs to ensure the faithful and effective implementation of the President's foreign policy agenda," it further stated.
The order states that the Secretary of State will implement reforms regarding recruitment, efficiency, and quality standards in employment, as well as evaluation and retention standards to "ensure a workforce that is committed to the faithful implementation of the President's foreign policy."
Based on the order, the secretary may renew the programs of the Foreign Service Institute and revise or replace the Foreign Affairs Manual, a compendium of the policies, procedures, and organizational structures of the Department of State.
Just hours after taking office on January 20, President Trump ordered a freeze on most aid the United States gives to other countries, to ensure it was consistent with his "America First" policy.
Following the order, USAID personnel were placed on forced leave and asked not to report to work at the agency's headquarters in Washington, where signs with the agency's name were removed or covered.
USAID's website is no longer working and Secretary Rubio has been named acting administrator. VOA (A2 Televizion)
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