President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday taps Brendan Carr as the federal communications commission chair, choosing a seasoned Republican regulator who supports reduced regulation, scrutiny of major technology companies and addressing perceived political bias in television networks.
Carr, a current commissioner, is anticipated to transform the traditionally reserved agency responsible for radio and TV airwave licensing, telephone cost regulation and broadband expansion. Trump previously expressed interest in revoking licences of broadcasters like NBC and CBS for what he deemed unfair coverage.
At age 45, Carr authored an FCC chapter in the conservative Project 2025 blueprint, advocating for oversight of major technology firms including Apple, Meta, Google and Microsoft.
"The censorship cartel must be dismantled," Carr said recently on X.
Legal experts suggest Carr could significantly alter the independent agency's scope, potentially using it as a conservative policy instrument. They anticipate he will explore regulatory boundaries by attempting to oversee social media companies, likely sparking conflict with Silicon Valley.
Jessica Gonzalez of Free Press criticised Carr's approach, "He's proposed to do a lot of things he has no jurisdiction to do and in other cases he's blatantly misreading the rules."
Trump praised Carr, "Commissioner Carr is a warrior for free speech, and has fought against the regulatory lawfare that has stifled Americans' freedoms, and held back our economy."
Carr's authority will face limitations. The FTC and justice department maintain primary oversight of technology regulation through antitrust enforcement and consumer protection measures.
Congressional approval would likely be necessary to expand FCC jurisdiction over social media platforms, as they aren't classified as communications services. The commission would comprise three Republicans and two Democrats under Trump.
The FCC cannot penalise broadcasters for editorial decisions, except regarding obscenity and children's programming violations.
Nevertheless, experts note Carr could influence companies through his position, potentially scrutinising mergers and investigating regulatory breaches.
Blair Levin, former FCC chief of staff, observed, "Brendan is by far the most talented politician on the commission right now. But the real question is what can he actually do with the authorities the FCC has now."
A telecommunications lawyer, Carr earned his law degree from Catholic University in Washington. He joined the FCC as legal adviser in 2012, becoming general counsel five years later.
Trump appointed him to a Republican commission seat in 2017. Carr championed rural high-speed wireless internet and supported deregulation, including net neutrality rollbacks under Ajit Pai. Democrats recently reinstated these rules, now facing legal challenges.
Post-election, Carr said, "When the transition is complete, the FCC will have an important role to play reining in Big Tech, ensuring that broadcasters operate in the public interest, and unleashing economic growth while advancing our national security interests and supporting law enforcement."
Carr has demonstrated support for Elon Musk, a Trump ally. Musk's Starlink received an $885 million FCC rural internet grant in 2020, later revoked by Democrats in 2022 for failing to meet requirements.
Carr opposed this decision, writing in The Wall Street Journal: "In my view, it amounted to nothing more than regulatory lawfare against one of the left's top targets: Mr. Musk."
Carr, a current commissioner, is anticipated to transform the traditionally reserved agency responsible for radio and TV airwave licensing, telephone cost regulation and broadband expansion. Trump previously expressed interest in revoking licences of broadcasters like NBC and CBS for what he deemed unfair coverage.
At age 45, Carr authored an FCC chapter in the conservative Project 2025 blueprint, advocating for oversight of major technology firms including Apple, Meta, Google and Microsoft.
"The censorship cartel must be dismantled," Carr said recently on X.
Legal experts suggest Carr could significantly alter the independent agency's scope, potentially using it as a conservative policy instrument. They anticipate he will explore regulatory boundaries by attempting to oversee social media companies, likely sparking conflict with Silicon Valley.
Jessica Gonzalez of Free Press criticised Carr's approach, "He's proposed to do a lot of things he has no jurisdiction to do and in other cases he's blatantly misreading the rules."
Trump praised Carr, "Commissioner Carr is a warrior for free speech, and has fought against the regulatory lawfare that has stifled Americans' freedoms, and held back our economy."
Carr's authority will face limitations. The FTC and justice department maintain primary oversight of technology regulation through antitrust enforcement and consumer protection measures.
Congressional approval would likely be necessary to expand FCC jurisdiction over social media platforms, as they aren't classified as communications services. The commission would comprise three Republicans and two Democrats under Trump.
The FCC cannot penalise broadcasters for editorial decisions, except regarding obscenity and children's programming violations.
Nevertheless, experts note Carr could influence companies through his position, potentially scrutinising mergers and investigating regulatory breaches.
Blair Levin, former FCC chief of staff, observed, "Brendan is by far the most talented politician on the commission right now. But the real question is what can he actually do with the authorities the FCC has now."
A telecommunications lawyer, Carr earned his law degree from Catholic University in Washington. He joined the FCC as legal adviser in 2012, becoming general counsel five years later.
Trump appointed him to a Republican commission seat in 2017. Carr championed rural high-speed wireless internet and supported deregulation, including net neutrality rollbacks under Ajit Pai. Democrats recently reinstated these rules, now facing legal challenges.
Post-election, Carr said, "When the transition is complete, the FCC will have an important role to play reining in Big Tech, ensuring that broadcasters operate in the public interest, and unleashing economic growth while advancing our national security interests and supporting law enforcement."
Carr has demonstrated support for Elon Musk, a Trump ally. Musk's Starlink received an $885 million FCC rural internet grant in 2020, later revoked by Democrats in 2022 for failing to meet requirements.
Carr opposed this decision, writing in The Wall Street Journal: "In my view, it amounted to nothing more than regulatory lawfare against one of the left's top targets: Mr. Musk."
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