WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr acknowledged during a Senate hearing this week that he no longer views the FCC as an independent regulatory agency, saying commissioners effectively serve at the pleasure of the president. The remarks represent a sharp departure from decades of precedent that positioned the FCC as politically insulated from the White House.
Carr, a Trump appointee who has openly embraced the former president’s agenda, made the comments amid growing scrutiny of the agency’s actions toward news organizations critical of Donald Trump. Shortly after the hearing, references to the FCC’s independence were quietly removed from the agency’s website, further fueling concern among press freedom advocates.
Critics argue Carr’s position creates an inherent conflict, particularly as he continues to invoke the FCC’s “public interest” standard to investigate journalists and broadcasters. Records from press freedom groups show that recent FCC inquiries have consistently targeted media outlets whose reporting or commentary angered Trump, including coverage of immigration enforcement and interviews involving Democratic figures.
The fallout has reportedly had a chilling effect inside newsrooms. In one high-profile case involving a California radio station, reporters said political coverage was scaled back and staff were questioned by lawyers following FCC scrutiny, with managers citing fears of retaliation.
Even some Republicans have expressed alarm. Sen. Ted Cruz and others warned that vague public-interest standards could be weaponized regardless of which party controls the White House, undermining the First Amendment.
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