The State Department under President Donald Trump is eliminating Biden-era guidelines that had directed its personnel to promote a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) agenda in international engagements. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott emphasized the administration’s focus on advocating for national interests rather than adhering to political ideologies.

Documents from the Biden administration, obtained by Fox News Digital, show directives for employees to discuss social inclusion, racial and gender equity, disability, and LGBTQI+ issues during high-level meetings with foreign officials. The purpose was to include these topics in bilateral dialogues, particularly in regions where these issues pose challenges.

The previous administration also evaluated State Department employees based on their adoption of DEIA policies. These criteria no longer influence job performance assessments under Trump’s leadership. The new approach prioritizes merit and tangible diplomatic skills.

Included in the now-discarded guidelines was a focus on ‘allyship,’ encouraging staff to counter biases based on race, ethnicity, gender, and other factors. Employees were urged to proactively engage in DEIA learning and support the creation of DEIA Councils across departments.

Pigott clarified that the Trump administration is committed to meeting diplomatic needs without engaging in political exercises. The focus now is on preparing diplomats to address pressing global challenges with refined skills and merit-driven evaluations.

Peter D’Abrosca, a politics reporter at Fox News Digital, provided insights into this shift at the State Department.