The U.S. State Department has announced changes to its annual human rights report, which will now consider the enforcement of affirmative action policies and state subsidies for abortion as violations of human rights. This adjustment aligns with the Trump administration's 'America First' approach, which seeks to reshape foreign policy priorities to favor economic negotiations and appeal to its political base.

Historically, the Human Rights Report has served as a framework for promoting democratic values globally. However, under the current administration, there has been a significant overhaul of the State Department's human rights framework, which has traditionally emphasized the promotion of democracy and human rights.

A senior official from the State Department indicated that the new guidelines require officials to document what they classify as 'infringements on human rights' in other countries. This includes monitoring arrests or investigations related to free speech, as well as the state support of abortion services and the estimated number of abortions performed annually. Additionally, the enforcement of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies that allegedly provide preferential treatment based on race, sex, or caste will also be noted.

State Department deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that the administration aims to address what it perceives as new ideologies that contribute to human rights violations, including issues related to free speech and discriminatory employment practices.

The recent changes come after the administration reduced the scope of the report, softening its criticism of certain countries that are considered strong allies of the Republican administration. In contrast, the report has increased its focus on the decline of free speech in Europe and has intensified criticism of nations like Brazil and South Africa, with which the U.S. has had contentious relations.

The Trump administration's approach marks a departure from the traditional U.S. stance on promoting democracy and human rights, framing such advocacy as interference in the internal affairs of other nations, while selectively criticizing specific countries. This has included vocal opposition to perceived suppression of right-wing political figures in various European nations, such as Romania, Germany, and France, where U.S. officials have accused local authorities of censoring dissenting views, particularly regarding immigration.