NEW YORK (Reuters) - Starbucks was sued on Tuesday by the U.S. state of Missouri, which accused the coffee chain of using a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as a pretext to illegally discriminate on the basis of race.

Bailey alleges in the lawsuit filed Tuesday the policies, specifically "race-and-sex-based hiring practices," have led to unqualified workers being hired and that customer service has been slower and prices have increased, according to CBS News. Starbucks said in a response to the suit that its hiring practices were both fair and inclusive.

The lawsuit from Republican Andrew Bailey alleges that Starbucks setting goals for the representation of people of color and women in its workforce and leadership amounts to illegal discrimination.

President Donald Trump has taken aim at DEI policies and schemes since beginning his second term in the White House.

The complaint, filed in St Louis federal court, alleges that Starbucks' executive pay is linked to racial and gender-based hiring quotas.

Andrew Bailey's suit comes amid a sweeping crackdown from the Trump administration on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts both in government entities and private sector businesses.

U.S. state of Missouri accused the coffee chain of using a commitment to DEI as a pretext to systemically discriminate based on race, gender and sexual orientation

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a lawsuit against Starbucks on Tuesday, alleging the company utilizes illegal "race-based hiring practices."