Verizon’s letter said that because of the “changing landscape,” the firm “has been evaluating its DEI-related programs, HR processes, supplier programs, training programs and materials, and other initiatives.” Among other changes, Verizon said it “will no longer have a team or any individual roles focused on DEI” and will reassign DEI-focused employees to “HR talent objectives.”

T-Mobile sent a similar letter to Carr on March 27, saying it “is fully committed to identifying and rooting out any policies and practices that enable such discrimination, whether in fulfillment of DEI or any other purpose,” and is thus “conducting a comprehensive review of its DEI policies, programs, and activities.” One day later, the FCC approved a T-Mobile joint venture to acquire fiber provider Lumos.

The FCC also has authority over media mergers when broadcast license transfers are involved. CBS owner Paramount, which is seeking approval for a merger with Skydance, decided to end numerous DEI policies shortly after President Trump’s second term began.

Paramount is also facing a $20 billion lawsuit from Trump and a “news distortion” investigation spearheaded by Carr’s FCC, which are both related to the editing of a pre-election interview with Kamala Harris. Although an unedited transcript and camera feeds of the interview support CBS’ defense that its editing was not deceptive, Carr has kept the investigation open while the FCC considers the Paramount/Skydance merger.