DOJ Ends Probe into T-Mobile's $4.4 Billion Merger After Company Commits to End DEI Policies.

T-Mobile has committed to ending its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, which led to a decrease in regulatory heat from the Trump administration. The DOJ announced it would end its antitrust probe into T-Mobile's $4.4 billion merger with UScellular. The company is awaiting FCC approval for two deals, including the UScellular merger and the acquisition of Metronet.

T-Mobile has taken a significant step by committing to end its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, which has reportedly led to a decrease in regulatory heat from the Trump administration. The company has been awaiting Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval for two deals, including its proposed $4.4 billion merger with UScellular.

On Thursday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced it would end its antitrust probe into T-Mobile's proposed merger with UScellular. The DOJ had separately launched an antitrust probe into the UScellular deal. In a statement, Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater expressed concerns about ongoing consolidation in the wireless services industry but ultimately determined that the potential benefits of the transaction outweighed the potential harm to competition [1].

T-Mobile's decision to end its DEI policies comes after FCC Chair Brendan Carr demanded that firms seeking mergers end DEI practices. The company's General Counsel, Mark Nelson, wrote in a July 8 letter to the FCC that T-Mobile was ending its DEI-related policies not just in name but in substance [2]. This move is part of T-Mobile's broader strategy to secure regulatory approval for its deals.

The company is seeking FCC approval for two separate deals: the UScellular merger and the acquisition of the internet service provider Metronet. The DOJ's decision to close its antitrust probe into the UScellular deal means that the merger still requires approval from the FCC, which is the final regulatory hurdle for the transaction to proceed.

The news comes amid broader trends in the Trump administration's stance on DEI policies. The administration has been using federal civil rights law to challenge DEI programs, including affirmative action policies in hiring practices. Minnesota's Department of Human Services is currently under investigation by the DOJ for its affirmative action policy [3].

T-Mobile's move to end its DEI policies is a strategic response to the changing regulatory landscape. By aligning with the Trump administration's stance, the company aims to secure the necessary approvals for its mergers. Despite this, the company continues to face scrutiny and regulatory hurdles, particularly from the FCC.

References:
[1] https://www.businessinsider.com/justice-department-closes-t-mobile-probe-uscellular-dei-policies-2025-7
[2] https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/07/t-mobile-follows-orders-from-trump-fcc-ends-dei-to-get-two-mergers-approved/
[3] https://apnews.com/article/dei-minnesota-trump-administration-affirmative-action-bd28edac0a42083fbfdb4f36af76f40d