Policyband

AT&T Drops DEI Policies with $23 Billion Spectrum Deal Needing FCC Approval

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr posted the AT&T news on his X feed after past warnings that deal approvals would run into trouble for firms with DEI commitments

Ted Hearn

Dec 3, 2025 — 10 min read

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AT&T: With a major spectrum deal awaiting Trump administration approval, AT&T has dropped its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and programs under pressure from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who has said corporate DEI policies would likely stand in the way of transaction approvals. “The legal landscape governing diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and programs has changed, said Senior EVP and General Counsel David McAtee in a Dec. 1, 2025 letter to Carr, who posted it on his X feed Tuesday. “We have closely followed the recent Executive Orders, Supreme Court rulings, and guidance issued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and have adjusted our employment and business practices to ensure that they comply with all applicable laws and related requirements, including ending DEI-related policies … not just in name but in substance.” (More after paywall.)