President Trump signed an executive order Wednesday making it easier to terminate or punish government workers who are not executing his foreign policies.

“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,” said a fact sheet from the White House.

The order says that “presidents rely on their Secretaries of State and their subordinate officials to ensure that the United States is served and protected at home and abroad” and the secretary must have “an exceptional workforce of patriots to implement this policy effectively.”

Mr. Trump’s order establishes clear penalties for employees who fail to adhere to his foreign policy directives and spells out that such failures are grounds for “professional discipline, including separation.”

The order applies to all members of the Foreign Service, Civil Service or other staff whose actions are determined to warrant disciplinary action. For officials appointed by Mr. Trump, the secretary of state must determine whether to refer the case to the president for consideration.

Under the order, the secretary of state is tasked with reforming the Foreign Service by updating its recruiting, performance evaluation and retention standards.

The order says that “all officers or employees charged with implementing” foreign policy must do so with Article II of the Constitution in mind, which gives the president executive power.

“Failure to faithfully implement the President’s policy is grounds for professional discipline, including separation,” the order says.

• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.