Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has utilized his authority over TV, radio, and internet to pressure broadcasters who exercise free speech rights against the President. This has included successfully forcing ABC to briefly suspend Jimmy Kimmel’s show, actions Verge Editor-in-Chief Nilay Patel claims are part of a mission to “trash the First Amendment.” Critics warn that Carr is systematically attempting to erode Americans’ constitutional rights.
The FCC voted to end the rule restricting broadcast stations to 39 percent of U.S. TV households, a move criticized by lobby groups as ignoring the harms of media consolidation. The agency also announced a waiver allowing foreign sovereign wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi to own 49.5 percent of Paramount-Warner Bros., a decision that contrasts with Carr’s aggressive stance toward domestic media.
Throughout his tenure, the FCC has threatened ABC, blocked interviews with Democrats, and censored late-night hosts. In response to a First Amendment lawsuit, the FCC labeled ABC’s content an “ongoing campaign of disinformation,” a stance that former officials argue has been weaponized to punish speech disfavored by the administration.
President Trump nominated Carr adviser Danielle Thumann Severs to the FCC, which would result in a three-to-one Republican majority. This could allow Carr to fire the lone Democrat and pass his agenda without a quorum, effectively ending the mixed-party balance that currently prevents total control over agency policy.
The FCC voted to scrap the national broadcast ownership cap, replacing it with a flexible case-by-case review. ABC has since filed opposition to the FCC’s demand for early license renewals, accusing the agency of targeting the network for its political content. Additionally, the FCC has launched investigations into children’s programming regarding gender identity and responded to inquiries about documentary edits from BBC and NPR.
Former officials are petitioning a court to force the FCC to vote on repealing the “News Distortion Policy,” which Carr used to pressure ABC. Amidst these regulatory moves, Carr proposed changes to ISP billing transparency rules and faced criticism from Jimmy Kimmel, who returned to television to denounce the FCC’s attacks on free speech.
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