T-Mobile ending DEI programs as it seeks US FCC approval for 2 deals
(Reuters) -Wireless carrier T-Mobile US said on Wednesday it is ending its diversity, equity and inclusion programs, under pressure from the Trump administration as it seeks regulatory approval for two major deals.
T-Mobile said in a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr made public on Wednesday that the wireless company is ending its DEI-related policies "not just in name, but in substance."
T-Mobile said it will no longer have any individual roles or teams focused on DEI, is removing any references to DEI on its websites and has removed references to DEI from its employee training materials.
Carr said in a text message he was pleased with the changes. "This is another good step forward for equal opportunity, nondiscrimination and the public interest."
T-Mobile is awaiting FCC approval to buy almost all of regional carrier United States Cellular's wireless operations including customers, stores and 30% of its spectrum assets in a deal valued at $4.4 billion.
The FCC is also weighing a separate transaction in which T-Mobile would establish a joint venture with KKR to acquire internet service provider Metronet, which reaches more than 2 million homes and businesses in 17 states.
T-Mobile plans at closing to invest about $4.9 billion to acquire a 50% equity stake in the joint venture and 100% of Metronet's residential fiber retail operations and customers.
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, a Democrat, criticized T-Mobile's action saying "in yet another cynical bid to win FCC regulatory approval, T-Mobile is making a mockery of its professed commitment to eliminating discrimination, promoting fairness, and amplifying underrepresented voices."
The FCC in May approved Verizon Communications' $20 billion deal to acquire fiber-optic internet providers Frontier Communications after the largest U.S. telecom company agreed to end its DEI program and after the FCC opened an investigation.
Carr, a Republican designated by Trump in January as chair, told Comcast in February he was opening a probe into the NBC News-parent company's promotion of DEI programs.
In January, Trump issued sweeping executive orders to dismantle U.S. government DEI programs, and pressured the private sector to join the initiative.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by David Gregorio)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
8 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Trump pressures, Delhi holds firm, but state oil refiners quietly pull back after Russian discount dips
Indian officials deny policy change on Russian oil imports Foreign ministry emphasises independent energy decisions Trump has threatened tariffs on Russian oil buyers Russia remains India's top oil supplier NEW DELHI, Aug 3 — India will keep purchasing oil from Russia despite US President Donald Trump's threats of penalties, two Indian government sources told Reuters on Saturday, not wishing to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter. On top of a new 25 per cent tariff on India's exports to the US, Trump indicated in a Truth Social post last month that India would face additional penalties for purchases of Russian arms and oil. On Friday, Trump told reporters he had heard that India would no longer be buying oil from Russia. But the sources said there would be no immediate changes. 'These are long-term oil contracts,' one of the sources said. 'It is not so simple to just stop buying overnight.' Justifying India's oil purchases from Russia, a second source said India's imports of Russian grades had helped avoid a global surge in oil prices, which have remained subdued despite Western curbs on the Russian oil sector. Unlike Iranian and Venezuelan oil, Russian crude is not subject to direct sanctions, and India is buying it below the current price cap fixed by the European Union, the source said. The New York Times also quoted two unnamed senior Indian officials on Saturday as saying there had been no change in Indian government policy. Indian government authorities did not respond to Reuters' request for official comment on its oil purchasing intentions. However, during a regular press briefing on Friday, foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has a 'steady and time-tested partnership' with Russia. 'On our energy sourcing requirements ... we look at what is there available in the markets, what is there on offer, and also what is the prevailing global situation or circumstances,' he said. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. India's top supplier Trump, who has made ending Russia's war in Ukraine a priority of his administration since returning to office this year, has expressed growing impatience with Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent weeks. He has threatened 100 per cent tariffs on US imports from countries that buy Russian oil unless Moscow reaches a major peace deal with Ukraine. Russia is the leading supplier to India, the world's third-largest oil importer and consumer, accounting for about 35 per cent of its overall supplies. India imported about 1.75 million barrels per day of Russian oil from January to June this year, up 1 per cent from a year ago, according to data provided to Reuters by sources. But while the Indian government may not be deterred by Trump's threats, sources told Reuters this week that Indian state refiners stopped buying Russian oil after July discounts narrowed to their lowest since 2022 – when sanctions were first imposed on Moscow – due to lower Russian exports and steady demand. Indian Oil Corp, Hindustan Petroleum Corp , Bharat Petroleum Corp and Mangalore Refinery Petrochemical Ltd have not sought Russian crude in the past week or so, four sources told Reuters. Nayara Energy – a refinery majority-owned by Russian entities, including oil major Rosneft, and major buyer of Russian oil – was recently sanctioned by the EU. Nayara's chief executive resigned following the sanctions, and three vessels laden with oil products from Nayara Energy have yet to discharge their cargoes, hindered by the new EU sanctions, Reuters reported last week. — Reuters
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Undocumented migrants face homelessness amid Trump's LA crackdown
BUENA PARK: When her husband was arrested in an immigration raid near Los Angeles last month, Martha was abruptly separated from the father of her two daughters. But she also lost the salary that allowed her to keep a roof over their heads. 'He's the pillar of the family... he was the only one working,' said the undocumented woman, using a pseudonym for fear of reprisals. Los Angeles, where one-third of residents are immigrants, has been destabilized by intensifying Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids under the Trump administration. Since returning to power, US President Donald Trump has delivered on promises to launch a wide-ranging deportation drive, targeting undocumented migrants but also ensnaring many others in its net. After her husband's arrest, 39-year-old Martha has joined the ranks of people barely managing to avoid ending up on the streets of Los Angeles County, a region with prohibitively high housing prices and the largest number of homeless people in the United States outside New York. Her 700-square-foot apartment in Buena Park costs $2,050 per month. 'I have to pay car insurance, phone, rent, and their expenses,' she said, pointing to her six- and seven-year-old daughters, who need school supplies for the new academic year. 'That's a lot of expenses.' Los Angeles has seen some of the worst of the ICE raids. Squads of masked agents have targeted hardware stores, car washes, and bus stops, arresting more than 2,200 people in June. About 60 percent of these had no prior criminal records, according to internal ICE documents. Andrea Gonzalez, deputy director of the CLEAN Carwash Workers Center, warns of a growing crisis. 'A bigger storm is brewing. It's not just about the people that got picked up, it's about the people that are left behind as well,' she said. Local Democratic Party leaders are trying to establish financial aid for affected families. Los Angeles County is planning a dedicated fund, and city officials will launch another using philanthropic donations. Some families should receive 'a couple hundred' dollars, Mayor Karen Bass said. But Gonzalez argues these initiatives do not 'even scratch the surface' of what is needed. She called for a 'moratorium on evictions' similar to one introduced during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. Maria Martinez's undocumented immigrant husband was arrested in June at a carwash in Pomona. Since then, the 59-year-old has had to rely on help from her children to pay her $1,800 monthly rent. 'It is stressful,' she said. 'We're just getting by.' - AFP
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Smithsonian denies Trump admin pressured removal of impeachment display
WASHINGTON: The Smithsonian Institution has denied claims that the Trump administration influenced the removal of a display detailing Donald Trump's two impeachments at the National Museum of American History. In a statement, the museum's parent organization clarified the decision was based on exhibit standards, not political pressure. The placard, which outlined Trump's 2019 and 2021 impeachments, was removed last month after a content review. The Smithsonian explained it 'did not meet the museum's standards in appearance, location, timeline, and overall presentation.' The institution added, 'We were not asked by any Administration or other government official to remove content from the exhibit.' The Washington Post initially reported the removal, noting the museum reverted to older signage stating only three presidents—Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton—had faced serious removal threats. The Smithsonian confirmed the exhibit 'will be updated in the coming weeks to reflect all impeachment proceedings in our nation's history.' Trump, impeached twice—first for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, then for inciting the January 6 Capitol riot—was acquitted both times by the Senate. Since his second term began in January 2025, his administration has taken steps to reshape cultural institutions, including signing an executive order to 'remove improper ideology' from the Smithsonian. The order accused the institution of promoting narratives that depict American values as 'inherently harmful and oppressive.' Critics argue these moves reflect broader efforts to control historical narratives. The Smithsonian maintains its latest decision was purely curatorial. - AFP
