Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr argued that the FCC’s new leadership is giving companies the proper chance to ditch its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, calling this the “right path forward.”
Carr revealed that he requested over the weekend that the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau investigate Disney and ABC, specifically over whether either company has violated FCC equal employment opportunity regulations by promoting “DEI discrimination.” While some House Democrats have since opened a probe into these investigations over whether they violate the First Amendment, Carr contended that the FCC is “exiting a period of time” when the nation’s communications laws were weaponized under the Biden administration.
“These are the same members of Congress, in some cases, that were pushing for the FCC to block a sale of a Spanish-language radio station in south Florida because they thought it would go to conservative buyers,” Carr stated on Fox News’s The Story with Martha MacCallum, guest-hosted by Jacqui Heinrich. “So what we’re doing at the FCC is actually turning the page on the weaponization that governed during the Biden years, and what I’m making sure is that every single entity before the FCC gets a fair shake. I think that’s the right path forward.”
Carr argued that broadcasters, including Disney-owned ABC, have an obligation to not make hiring decisions based on “protected characteristics,” such as gender or race. However, the FCC chairman argued that the evidence attained so far indicates both ABC and Disney have been making these decisions based on both race and gender, warning that this is a “very serious issue” at the FCC.
Carr continued by stating that the Trump administration has been vocal in turning the page on DEI, which started with the FCC itself where DEI was previously listed as its second highest strategic priority. Going forward, the FCC will instead focus on its “core mission.”
COURT CHALLENGES TO TRUMP’S DEI ACTIONS SEE MIXED RESULTS
In a letter addressed to Disney CEO Bob Iger, Carr cited reports showing that Disney had reversed “some” of its DEI programs but that “significant concerns” remain.
I have asked the @FCC’s Enforcement Bureau to open an investigation into Disney & ABC.
While Disney started as an iconic American company, it recently went all in on DEI.
I am concerned that their DEI practices may violate FCC prohibitions on invidious forms of discrimination. pic.twitter.com/E31QwwFcxA
— Brendan Carr (@BrendanCarrFCC) March 28, 2025
Earlier this month, Carr argued that businesses need to “get busy” with eliminating DEI if they wish for merger deals to go forward with FCC approval. Potentially-affected companies listed included Paramount Global’s merger with Skydance Media and Verizon’s acquisition of Frontier Communications Parent.