Trump's choice for FCC chairman says agency 'will end its promotion of DEI' next year

Brendan Carr, current senior Republican member of the FCC and President-elect Donald Trump's choice for FCC chairman, said the agency will stop promoting DEI in 2025.

Nov 18, 2024 - 06:00
Trump's choice for FCC chairman says agency 'will end its promotion of DEI' next year

President-elect Donald Trump's pick for chairman of the Federal Communications Commission said early Monday morning that the agency's focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) will end next year.

Brendan Carr, who currently serves as the senior Republican member of the FCC, posted a snippet of the agency's budget request for Fiscal Year 2025 on X, which stated that its second-highest strategic goal is promoting DEI.

"The FCC’s most recent budget request said that promoting DEI was the agency’s second highest [sic] strategic goal. Starting next year, the FCC will end its promotion of DEI," Carr wrote.

The only strategic goal listed before promoting DEI was pursuing a 100% broadband policy.

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The agency said in part that it wanted to "gain a deeper understanding of how [its] rules, policies, and programs may promote or inhibit advances in diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility."

The goal would be reached by pursuing "focused action and investments" to eliminate any barriers that "perpetuate disadvantaged or underserved individuals and communities," the FCC's FY2025 budget said.

"In addition, the FCC recognizes that it is more effective when its workforce reflects the experience, judgment, and input of individuals from many different backgrounds," the section concluded. "Advancing equity is core to the agency's management and policymaking processes and will benefit all Americans."

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The four goals listed after promoting DEI were, empower consumers, enhance public safety and national security, advance America's global competitiveness and foster operational excellence.

Carr followed up his initial post with a GIF captioned: "When it comes to the FCC's promotion of DEI, I have just one thing to say: Afuera (get out)!" 

Trump announced Carr as his choice for FCC chairman on Sunday, describing him as a "warrior for free speech" and someone who will "ensure that the FCC delivers for rural America."

Carr, who was initially appointed to the commission in 2017 under Trump's first term and continued working for the agency under President Biden, has been confirmed unanimously by the Senate three times.