• The Trump administration is scaling back criticism of foreign human rights records.
• Drafts remove references to treatment of LGBTQ+ people and gender-based crimes.
• Reports are cut to meet minimal statutory guidelines, underplaying key abuses.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (TDR) — Under Donald Trump, the State Department is reshaping its annual report on human rights practices, significantly trimming content on global human rights advocacy, according to leaked drafts reviewed by The Washington Post.

From Thorough Reviews to Streamlined Summaries

For nearly 50 years, U.S. diplomats have produced the State Department’s annual report—the definitive survey of abuses worldwide. This year’s drafts for El Salvador, Israel, and Russia are significantly shorter reports than under Joe Biden, omitting entire sections on government corruption, gender-based crimes, and the treatment of LGBTQ+ people .

“The 2024 Human Rights report has been restructured…to increase readability and comply strictly with the legislative mandate,” a senior State Department official told the Post.

El Salvador: Downplaying Prison Violence

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The draft for El Salvador claims “no credible reports of significant human rights abuses” in 2024, compared with last year’s identification of government-sanctioned killings, torture, and harsh prison conditions . Critics note this is a clear case of downplaying the country’s history of violence, even as President Nayib Bukele—the Trump ally behind a mega-prison built for gang members—continues aggressive deportation deals.

Israel: Scrutiny of Corruption and Judicial Independence Scaled Back

In the Israel draft—just 25 pages versus over 100 previously—mentions of corruption and judicial independence have vanished. Last year’s report covered the corruption trial of Benjamin Netanyahu and the controversial judicial overhaul, but the new draft omits those topics and previous notes on surveillance of Palestinians .

Russia: A Glaring Omission on LGBTQ+ Rights

The Russia section drops all reference to a recent Supreme Court ban on LGBTQ+ organizations, labeling them “extremist,” and ignores raids and arrests of activists. Keifer Buckingham, former State Department LGBTQ+ adviser, called the absence a glaring omission, saying the administration “only cares about the human rights of some people…when it’s convenient” .

Disengagement from International Norms

Analysts view these changes as part of a broader pattern of disengagement from conventions, matching the administration’s rollback in trade, environmental pacts, and ties with allies. Internal guidance urged staff to cut reports to minimal statutory guidelines, removing references to government corruption, gender-based crimes, and other traditionally documented abuses .

What Lies Ahead for the Final Reports

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It remains unclear whether the versions sent to Congress will mirror these drafts. The documents for El Salvador and Russia are marked “finalized,” while the Israel draft is in quality check. The public release could spark debate over U.S. credibility in global human rights advocacy.

Will the final report restore comprehensive coverage, or cement a narrower U.S. human rights stance?

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