FCC boss Brendan Carr claims another victory over DEI as AT&T drops programs

In a significant move, AT&T has informed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that it is discontinuing its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This decision aligns with the demands set forth by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who has taken a firm stance against companies that maintain DEI programs while seeking regulatory approvals for mergers and acquisitions. On Monday, AT&T submitted a letter to the FCC, officially stating its withdrawal from DEI policies as part of its application for a $1 billion purchase of US Cellular spectrum licenses. The company emphasized its commitment to adhering to recent Executive Orders, Supreme Court rulings, and guidelines from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The letter mentioned that AT&T would modify its employment and business practices to comply with all legal requirements, effectively ending any DEI-related policies. Additionally, AT&T is currently pursuing FCC approval for a $23 billion agreement to acquire spectrum licenses from EchoStar, alongside seeking Department of Justice clearance for a $5.75 billion acquisition of CenturyLink's consumer fiber broadband division. In a celebratory post on X, Chairman Carr praised AT&T's decision, noting that the company has formally documented its commitment to eliminating DEI initiatives in its FCC filings. However, the shift has drawn criticism. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, a Democrat, argued that AT&T's decision reflects a calculated financial strategy rather than a genuine change in corporate values. She cautioned that the company's abandonment of fairness and inclusion could tarnish its reputation for years to come, suggesting that the ramifications of such choices extend beyond immediate financial gains.