Verizon has announced the rollback of its DEI programs following an FCC investigation and amid ongoing scrutiny from the Trump administration.
DEI Program Cuts Linked to Regulatory Review
Telecom giant Verizon is eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, just as its $20 billion acquisition of Frontier received approval from the Federal Communications Commission. The move follows a probe initiated in February by FCC Chair Brendan Carr into Verizon’s diversity practices.
Scope of Internal Policy Changes
Verizon’s internal changes include removing DEI-related content from employee training materials and adjusting hiring, supplier diversity, and corporate sponsorship practices. The company also disclosed it will discontinue workforce representation goals and end DEI-linked performance metrics for managers. Public references to DEI, including on its website, will be removed.
Political and Legal Context
Brendan Carr praised the decision as supporting equal opportunity and the public interest. He stated the FCC was prepared to block Verizon’s Frontier deal over DEI concerns. The move is part of a broader trend, as President Trump has issued executive orders targeting DEI across public and private sectors. Companies like Meta and Google have similarly retreated from diversity benchmarks amid potential legal challenges.
Regulatory Pressure Extends Beyond Verizon
The FCC is also investigating DEI policies at Comcast and Disney. Paramount’s talks with the agency reportedly involved distancing from DEI practices. Meanwhile, other FCC commissioners have criticized the probes, arguing they fall outside the agency’s mandate. Commissioner Anna Gomez called them politically motivated, and Geoffrey Starks questioned their legal basis.
As scrutiny intensifies, how will companies balance regulatory approval with internal values on workplace diversity?
