Executive Order 13721-Developing an Integrated Global Engagement Center To Support Government-wide Counterterrorism Communications Activities Directed Abroad and Revoking Executive Order 13584
Issued 2016-03-14 by Barack Obama
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
This executive order created a new office within the State Department called the Global Engagement Center. The Center's job is to coordinate how different parts of the U.S. government communicate with foreign audiences abroad specifically to counter messaging from terrorist organizations including ISIL, al Qaeda, and other violent extremist groups. It replaced an earlier temporary organization that had a similar mission. The Center is led by a Special Envoy and Coordinator who reports to the Secretary of State.
The Center's responsibilities include coordinating all U.S. government public communications directed at foreign audiences abroad for counterterrorism purposes, developing strategic narratives and communication strategies based on research and data analysis, and working with governments, private sector groups, and civil society organizations both in the U.S. and abroad. It can hire or acquire talent from the private sector, universities, and other sources to support its mission. The order specifically notes the importance of protecting freedom of expression, including First Amendment protections and international human rights obligations.
This action affects how the executive branch organizes its communications efforts aimed at foreign audiences, particularly in combating terrorist messaging. It brings together previously scattered government communication activities under one coordinating body within the State Department.
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Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
Executive Order 13721 addresses "Executive Order 13721-Developing an Integrated Global Engagement Center To Support Government-wide Counterterrorism Communications Activities Directed Abroad and Revoking Executive Order 13584". The President's stated reasoning: "the messaging and diminish the influence of international terrorist organizations and other violent extremists abroad; (b) developing and promulgating throughout the executive branch, on the basis of rigorous research and modern data analysis, the U." Executive orders are a long-established exercise of presidential power, used by every President since George Washington. They are grounded in Article II of the Constitution, which vests executive power in the President and directs them to "take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed."
Executive orders cannot create new law, contradict existing federal statutes, or exceed the President's constitutional authority. The legitimacy of any specific order depends on whether it operates within statutory authority Congress has delegated, directs the executive branch on matters within its constitutional purview, or attempts to substitute executive policy for legislative choices. Courts can and do review executive orders for conformity with the Constitution and federal law.
Official Summary
Administration of Barack Obama, 2016 Executive Order 13721—Developing an Integrated Global Engagement Center To Support Government-wide Counterterrorism Communications Activities Directed Abroad and Revoking Executive Order 13584 March 14, 2016 By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 2656 of title 22, United States Code, and section 3161 of title 5, United States Code, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1 . Establishment of the Global Engagement Center . The Secretary of State (Secretary) shall establish the Global Engagement Center (Center) which shall lead the coordination, integration, and synchronization of Government-wide communications activities directed at foreign audiences abroad in order to counter the messaging and diminish the influence of international terrorist organizations, including the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), al Qa'ida, and other violent extremists abroad, with specific responsibilities as set forth in section 3 of this order. The executive director of the Center shall be the Special Envoy and Coordinator for Global Engagement Communications (Coordinator), who shall report to the Secretary through the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy. <