Carr Probing Verizon Over Diversity Initiatives

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2025 – Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr opened a probe into Verizon over diversity initiatives at the company, which has a $20 billion merger waiting on FCC approval.

“I wrote a letter to Comcast where I made clear that I expect all regulated companies to end invidious forms of DEI discrimination,” Carr wrote in a letter to Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg. “While I am pleased with the progress that different companies are making on this front, I am concerned by the apparent lack of progress at Verizon.”

Carr took issue with pro-diversity language in public-facing Verizon documents and reported diversity trainings he called an “extensive race reeducation program.” He directed Verizon to reach out to agency staff handling the company’s pending merger.