(Reuters) -Verizon Communications said Friday it is ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs after the Trump administration opened a probe and as the U.S. telecom carrier seeks approval to purchase Frontier Communications.

Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr in February criticized Verizon for its promotion ofDEI programs and said it could be a factor in the Frontier deal.

Verizon said in a letter to Carr seen by Reuters the company was removing its "Diversity and Inclusion" website and removing references to DEI from employee training and making other changes to hiring, career development, supplier diversity and corporate sponsorship practices.