DEI policies

Black unemployment in New York City remains higher than the national average at 8.8%, with over 100,000 Black New Yorkers unemployed amid corporate layoffs, reduced competition for blue-collar jobs, and a retreat from diversity-boosting hiring practices. Animator Brandon V. Fletcher, who lost his job after his company was acquired, represents the challenges faced by unemployed Black workers, including liquidating retirement savings and struggling to find new opportunities.

ABC is engaged in a legal battle with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over regulations that could impact press freedom. FCC Chair Brendan Carr is targeting broadcasters, including ABC's 'The View', arguing they must follow equal air time rules for political candidates. ABC opposes these actions, claiming they threaten protected speech and established legal norms. The FCC is also investigating ABC's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies as part of a broader review of broadcasters.

IBM agreed to pay $17 million to resolve allegations under the Trump administration's Civil Rights Fraud Initiative, which linked DEI policies to the False Claims Act. The DOJ claimed IBM violated anti-discrimination requirements in federal contracts by maintaining discriminatory practices.