President-elect Donald Trump has announced his decision to appoint Brendan Carr as the next chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Carr, a seasoned Republican leader within the agency, has extensive experience, having previously served as the FCC’s general counsel. Trump originally nominated Carr to the commission in 2017, recognizing his deep understanding of telecommunications policy.
In a statement released on Sunday, Trump praised Carr’s commitment to upholding free speech and his efforts to counter overbearing regulations. “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,” Trump said.
He also emphasized Carr’s ability to champion economic growth and innovation, particularly in underserved areas. “He will end the regulatory onslaught that has been crippling America’s Job Creators and Innovators, and ensure that the FCC delivers for rural America,” Trump added.
Carr’s leadership is expected to steer the FCC toward policies that prioritize economic expansion, innovation, and greater connectivity for rural communities.
If confirmed, Brendan Carr is positioned to take over as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as soon as Donald Trump assumes the presidency in January, according to a report from Politico. Since Carr is already a member of the commission, his transition to the leadership role could happen seamlessly.
Carr is set to succeed Jessica Rosenworcel, who was appointed as FCC chair by President Joe Biden. His leadership is expected to mark a significant shift in the commission’s priorities, reflecting the incoming administration’s goals and policies.
Carr’s current term on the FCC extends through 2029, giving him the potential to influence telecommunications policy for several years. His tenure is anticipated to focus on reducing regulatory barriers, promoting innovation, and addressing connectivity issues, particularly in rural areas.
Following Donald Trump’s announcement, Brendan Carr expressed his commitment to restoring free speech in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday. “We must dismantle the censorship cartel and restore free speech rights for everyday Americans,” Carr wrote, signaling his intent to challenge what he views as overreach by major platforms and regulators.
Curtis LeGeyt, president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), also issued a statement congratulating Carr on his selection as the next chairman of the FCC. LeGeyt commended Carr for his leadership in holding Big Tech accountable and advocating for policies that strengthen local broadcasters.
“NAB congratulates Commissioner Carr on his selection as the next chairman of the FCC,” LeGeyt said. “He has been a steadfast leader in addressing the dominance of Big Tech and supporting policies that empower local broadcast stations to compete and thrive. We look forward to collaborating with the chairman-designate to eliminate regulatory hurdles that hinder investment in local newsrooms. Together, we can ensure that local television and radio stations continue to innovate and effectively serve communities across the nation.”
During the 2024 presidential race, Brendan Carr drew attention when he criticized Vice President Kamala Harris’s unexpected appearance on the November 2 episode of Saturday Night Live. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Carr argued that the appearance was “a clear and blatant effort to evade the FCC’s Equal Time rule.”
He went on to explain the significance of the rule, stating, “The purpose of the rule is to prevent exactly this type of biased and partisan behavior—a licensed broadcaster using public airwaves to promote one candidate just before an election. Unless the broadcaster has provided Equal Time to other qualifying campaigns, this action violates the principle of fairness.”
Donald Trump released a statement announcing his decision to appoint Brendan Carr as the next Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Carr, who is currently the senior Republican on the commission, previously served as the FCC’s General Counsel.
Trump originally nominated Carr to the FCC in 2017, and since then, he has been unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate three times. With his current term extending through 2029, Trump highlighted Carr’s exceptional contributions and stated that he is now designating him as the permanent Chairman of the FCC.
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. He will end the regulatory onslaught that has been crippling America’s Job Creators and Innovators, and ensure that the FCC delivers for rural America.
Commissioner Carr has served at the FCC since 2012, including as an Advisor to then FCC Chairman, Ajit Pai. Earlier in his career, Commissioner Carr worked as an attorney specializing in Appellate, Litigation, and Regulatory matters. Previously, Commissioner Carr clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit for Judge Dennis Shedd. After attending Georgetown University for his undergrad, Commissioner Carr earned his J.D. Magna Cum Laude from the Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law where he served as an Editor of the Catholic University Law Review. Congratulations to Chairman Brendan Carr on a job well done. Lead us into a great future, Brendan!
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