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On May 16, 2025, Moody’s Corporation downgraded the United States’ credit rating from Aaa to Aa1, citing the “ballooning national debt” as the primary justification. The credit downgrade decision comes as Moody’s continues to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) priorities—initiatives that stand in sharp contrast to the Trump Administration’s efforts to eliminate DEI and ESG practices from federal agencies. Notably, Moody’s Chief Executive Officer Robert Fauber has also publicly criticized election integrity measures in the aftermath of the 2020 election, raising questions about the ideological motivations behind the downgrade.
Robert Fauber, who has served as Moody’s CEO since January 2021, has played a central role in directing the company’s corporate agenda. Prior to his current role, Fauber held several senior positions at Moody’s, including President and Chief Operating Officer (Nov. 2019–Dec. 2020), President of Moody’s Investors Service (2016–2019), and Global Head of the MIS Commercial Group (2013–2016). In the aftermath of the 2020 election, Fauber publicly opposed election integrity efforts. On January 6, 2021, he told CNN, “I am shocked and saddened by the scenes of violence and disorder unfolding today in Washington, DC. It is a fundamental attack on the rule of law and is simply unacceptable.” Two days earlier, Variety reported that Fauber had signed a letter urging Congress to certify Joe Biden’s electoral victory.
Moody’s has consistently advanced DEI as a pillar of its corporate sustainability strategy. In a March 2024 post on X, the company stated, “Increasing gender diversity in labor markets and on boards may improve governance and credit quality.” The post linked to a broader discussion on how such trends impact the global economy and businesses performance.
In June 2021, Moody’s highlighted its DEI commitments in a post stating, “How will diversity, equity and inclusion strengthen corporate sustainability and help businesses recover from the pandemic?” The post referenced Moody’s executive Marina Albo’s participation in a roundtable hosted by EY and the Spanish newspaper Expansión, and linked to the publication’s coverage.
In September 2021, Moody’s further promoted its DEI initiatives with a post stating, “Do you wonder what it’s like to be LGBTQ+ at Moody’s? Join us to hear from EMEA employees about our inclusive culture and their experiences.” The post included hashtags such as #LGBTQIA, #diversity, and #inclusion—along with a link to the company-hosted discussion.
It is also worth noting that Moody’s issued a DEI report in 2020, outlining its corporate commitment to social equity initiatives. According to Sustainability reporting, the company pledged $2.2 million to support Black communities. Chief Diversity Officer DK Bartley stated, “The work of breaking down barriers for underrepresented groups in the workplace, in finance, and in society starts with advancing Black culture.”
Moody’s also integrates ESG factors into its credit rating methodologies. As stated on its website, the firm provides “an overview of exposure to environmental, social and governance considerations—and their impact on ratings—for sectors on a regional and global scale.” A June 2024 post on X warned, “Climate change will exacerbate water scarcity and hazards worldwide, causing social turmoil and harming activities such as agriculture, manufacturing and tourism,” The post included a link to an accompanying infographic on the topic.
The Trump administration has taken an aggressive stance against DEI and ESG frameworks, denouncing them as discriminatory and economically distortive. Executive actions have targeted corporate DEI programs, while proposed policies seek to limit ESG-based investing. In this context, Moody’s outspoken support for DEI and ESG raises legitimate questions about whether political bias may have influenced its decision to downgrade the U.S. credit rating—a move that directly undermines the Trump administration’s economic agenda.
