DEI Dies At FCC

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has ended the agency's promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, citing that they promoted discriminatory policies and wasted taxpayer resources. 

Carr explained his decision to end the agency's promotion of DEI programs by citing the first section of the Communications Act, which mandates the FCC to regulate communications industries without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. Carr believes DEI programs have contradicted this mandate and deprived Americans of their rights to fair and equal treatment under the law1. He also mentioned that embedding DEI in the FCC's strategic priorities, budget requests, advisory groups, rulemaking proceedings, and other components of its work represents a wasteful expenditure of taxpayer resources.

Carr's decision aligns with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, which ended federal DEI efforts. Commissioner Anna Gomez criticized the move, stating it undermines efforts to address inequality.

FCC Chair @BrendanCarrFCC: Our agency was spending millions and millions of dollars promoting DEI — and thanks to President Trump's leadership, that's ENDING. pic.twitter.com/JwhR5lyhT7

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) January 22, 2025

Carr is also terminating the charter of the FCC’s Communications Equity and Diversity Council. This council, which included several broadcasters, was established to provide recommendations on removing regulatory barriers and increasing diversity in broadcasting and telecommunications. Carr believes the council's work is complete, despite its bipartisan support and contributions since its establishment in 2017