Inside Brendan Carr’s controversial leadership at the FCC: What you need to know
TOI World Desk | TOI Global Desk | Sep 18, 2025, 23:58 IST
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, known for his tough regulatory stance and conservative agenda, has stirred controversy by targeting major networks like ABC and NBC for alleged bias and misinformation. His activism, including criticizing Jimmy Kimmel and supporting major media mergers, challenges press freedom and shapes America’s future in broadcasting and telecommunications.
Brendan Carr, the current Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman, has been among America's media and telecommunication industry's top and sometimes contentious figures. Named chairman by President Donald Trump in November, Carr has been characterized by bullying enforcement of large broadcast networks and adamant promotion of conservative causes.
Carr has spent over a decade as a member of the FCC. Prior to becoming chairman, he was the agency's general counsel, and his knowledge of telecommunications law and policy has long been cemented through numerous Senate confirmations, including bipartisan ones. President Trump and President Joe Biden each nominated Carr to the commission, indicating his long-standing presence in Washington regulatory circles.
Before coming to the FCC in 2012, Carr built his career as a lawyer at Wiley Rein LLP, an elite communications law firm. In addition, he clerked for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, further complementing his impressive legal foundation. This foundation equipped Carr with the skills to navigate the intricate regulatory landscape that governs broadcasting, telecommunication and broadband, sectors within the domain of the FCC.
As chairman, Carr has been more activist in regulating media, particularly broadcast networks such as ABC, CBS, and NBC. His recent actions have been highly controversial. For instance, Carr demanded investigations against the networks, stating that they are discriminatory and practicing unfairness, including allegedly promoting discrimination under the cover of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Carr's most visible action was criticizing late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel, whose program was placed on indefinite suspension by ABC after Carr attacked Kimmel's response to the murder of conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk. Carr called Kimmel's statements "truly sick" and accused him of propagating misinformation and politicizing tragedy. The case has fueled controversy over freedom of speech and the role of the FCC in regulating content for licensed broadcasters.
Carr's regulatory philosophy is also consistent with conservative attempts to reshape federal agencies and influence the way that information is communicated to the press. He has endorsed ideas such as "Project 2025," a conservative Heritage Foundation plan for fundamentally transforming federal agencies in a hypothetical second Trump administration. While Trump has defected from the project publicly, some of the project's themes have echoes in comments and policies that Carr has advocated.
Aside from the imposition of media regulation, Carr also petitioned the FCC to approve a huge $8 billion merger between CBS owner Paramount and Skydance. The transaction, ratified amidst controversy over Trump's lawsuits against CBS's "60 Minutes," created public concern over political influence and media consolidation. As a condition of the merger, CBS committed to appointing an ombudsman to arbitrate allegations of political bias in news coverage, a role assigned to Kenneth Weinstein, well-known conservative commentator.
Carr's tenure as an administrator has not been controversy-free. Democratic legislators have urged him to resign, citing that he is bullying networks such as ABC and questioning the First Amendment. Carr's method is, in their opinion, threatening journalistic freedom and free expression within America.
As the FCC chairman, Brendan Carr continues to be at the forefront of battles raging over media bias, regulation, and what the role of government should be in what people hear. His actions and policies will quite assuredly continue to be a powerful force in American broadcasting and telecommunications in the years ahead.
Carr has spent over a decade as a member of the FCC. Prior to becoming chairman, he was the agency's general counsel, and his knowledge of telecommunications law and policy has long been cemented through numerous Senate confirmations, including bipartisan ones. President Trump and President Joe Biden each nominated Carr to the commission, indicating his long-standing presence in Washington regulatory circles.
Before coming to the FCC in 2012, Carr built his career as a lawyer at Wiley Rein LLP, an elite communications law firm. In addition, he clerked for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, further complementing his impressive legal foundation. This foundation equipped Carr with the skills to navigate the intricate regulatory landscape that governs broadcasting, telecommunication and broadband, sectors within the domain of the FCC.
As chairman, Carr has been more activist in regulating media, particularly broadcast networks such as ABC, CBS, and NBC. His recent actions have been highly controversial. For instance, Carr demanded investigations against the networks, stating that they are discriminatory and practicing unfairness, including allegedly promoting discrimination under the cover of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Carr's most visible action was criticizing late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel, whose program was placed on indefinite suspension by ABC after Carr attacked Kimmel's response to the murder of conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk. Carr called Kimmel's statements "truly sick" and accused him of propagating misinformation and politicizing tragedy. The case has fueled controversy over freedom of speech and the role of the FCC in regulating content for licensed broadcasters.
Carr's regulatory philosophy is also consistent with conservative attempts to reshape federal agencies and influence the way that information is communicated to the press. He has endorsed ideas such as "Project 2025," a conservative Heritage Foundation plan for fundamentally transforming federal agencies in a hypothetical second Trump administration. While Trump has defected from the project publicly, some of the project's themes have echoes in comments and policies that Carr has advocated.
Aside from the imposition of media regulation, Carr also petitioned the FCC to approve a huge $8 billion merger between CBS owner Paramount and Skydance. The transaction, ratified amidst controversy over Trump's lawsuits against CBS's "60 Minutes," created public concern over political influence and media consolidation. As a condition of the merger, CBS committed to appointing an ombudsman to arbitrate allegations of political bias in news coverage, a role assigned to Kenneth Weinstein, well-known conservative commentator.
Carr's tenure as an administrator has not been controversy-free. Democratic legislators have urged him to resign, citing that he is bullying networks such as ABC and questioning the First Amendment. Carr's method is, in their opinion, threatening journalistic freedom and free expression within America.
As the FCC chairman, Brendan Carr continues to be at the forefront of battles raging over media bias, regulation, and what the role of government should be in what people hear. His actions and policies will quite assuredly continue to be a powerful force in American broadcasting and telecommunications in the years ahead.