President-elect Donald Trump announced Sunday his selection of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Brendan Carr to serve as the agency’s chairman, elevating a longtime ally to lead the independent regulatory agency that oversees America’s communications landscape.
Carr, who currently serves as the senior Republican commissioner at the FCC, will replace current chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel at the helm of the influential independent agency that oversees communications regulation both domestically and internationally.
Newsweek contacted the Trump transition team via email on Sunday for comment.
The appointment comes as Trump seeks to reshape key federal agencies ahead of his return to office. Carr’s term runs through 2029, and Trump cited his “great work” as the reason for designating him as permanent chairman.
In making the announcement, Trump emphasized Carr’s commitment to free speech and deregulation, describing him as “a warrior for Free Speech” who has “fought against the regulatory Lawfare that has stifled Americans’ Freedoms, and held back our Economy.”
According to the Trump transition statement, Carr will focus on ending what the president-elect described as a “regulatory onslaught” that he claims has been “crippling America’s Job Creators and Innovators.” The incoming chairman is also expected to prioritize rural telecommunications development, with Trump specifically highlighting Carr’s commitment to ensuring “the FCC delivers for rural America.”
Carr’s relationship with the FCC dates back to 2012, when he served as an advisor to then-Chairman Ajit Pai before being nominated to the commission by Trump in 2017. His Senate confirmation process proved notably smooth, securing unanimous approval three times – a rare display of bipartisan support in Washington’s typically contentious confirmation processes.
The appointment comes amid ongoing tensions over media regulation. Trump has called for the revocation of certain broadcasting licenses on at least 15 occasions. Rosenworcel responded last month, stating that the FCC would not revoke licenses based on a political candidate’s disagreement with content or coverage.
Carr’s selection has drawn particular attention due to his contribution to Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation’s blueprint for a potential second Trump term. He authored a chapter detailing proposed changes to the FCC’s operations, though Trump had previously attempted to distance himself from the document during his campaign.
The incoming chairman brings substantial legal expertise to his new role. Before his FCC tenure, Carr worked as an attorney specializing in appellate litigation and regulatory matters and served as a law clerk for Judge Dennis Shedd on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. His academic credentials include a J.D. from the Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude and served as an editor of the Catholic University Law Review.
In recent months, Carr has made headlines for his support of Elon Musk’s efforts to secure subsidiaries for broadband internet service and his criticism of Vice President Kamala Harris’ appearance on “Saturday Night Live.”
Upon the announcement, Carr shared his gratitude on X, writing: “Thank you, President Trump! I am humbled and honored to serve as Chairman of the FCC. Now we get to work.”
We must dismantle the censorship cartel and restore free speech rights for everyday Americans.
— Brendan Carr (@BrendanCarrFCC) November 18, 2024
He later posted a message following his promotion at the agency, “We must dismantle the censorship cartel and restore free speech rights for everyday Americans.”
While the FCC wields significant regulatory power over communications in the United States, it’s important to note that its authority has specific limitations. The agency does not license national networks like CNN and CBS – both frequent subjects of Trump’s criticism.
Instead, its primary licensing authority extends to local stations, which receive eight-year terms. Notably, the commission hasn’t denied any license renewals in decades.
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