The telecommunications giant was told to end its DEI policies before the $20 billion merger would be approved.

After President Donald Trump issued an executive order in January eliminating DEI programs at federal agencies, FCC chair Brendan Carr ended those programs at the FCC and has said he will make eliminating DEI programs part of the approval process for mergers. Carr has also launched investigations into DEI practices at Disney and Comcast.

The FCC has signed off on the $20 billion Verizon and Frontier Communications merger. This federal agency approval will allow Verizon to significantly expand its fiber reach and subscriber base, which is presently limited primarily to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.