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FCC Commissioner Ana M. Gomez recently sounded off on FCC policy efforts to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) directives.

By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

Democratic FCC Commissioner Ana M. Gomez has blasted recent efforts to end DEI directives at the now-Republican led FCC.

Her comments, made yesterday at the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Legislative Summit, encouraged those in the private sector to stand up for civil rights and principles like inclusion.

“Do not be cowed into silence simply because it’s easier. Or because you’re scared,” Gomez said. “We all have a duty to stand behind our principles and to speak truth to power.”

Gomez also said government should have “no business trying to roll back” labor practices meant to promote fairness in hiring.

“It’s not only detrimental to small businesses and companies that know exactly what their customers want, it is also dangerous,” she stated, according to an announcement posted on the FCC’s website.

According to Gomez, government intervention “is making companies think twice about the way they describe internal diversity programs.”

“They’re afraid the government may retaliate against them simply because of actions that are responsive to how consumers use their services or choose to buy their products,” Gomez said.

Back in January, Brendan Carr, the chairman of the FCC, took action to end the FCC’s DEI directives following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump.

Steps listed as being taken by Carr to comply with Trump’s executive order included rescinding the FCC’s Equity Action Plan, created in 2022, and eliminating the FCC’s DEI Advisory Group.

At the time, Carr also said he will eliminate DEI from the FCC’s directives to advisory committees and announced the elimination of a relevant task force.

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