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Brendan Carr

Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R–Wyo.), Vice President J.D. Vance, and Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr | Illustration: Eddie Marshall | Al Drago - Pool via CNP |picture alliance | Consolidated News Photos | Tom Williams | CQ Roll Call | Michael Brochstein | Sipa USA | Newscom

Free Speech

Should Elected Officials Censor Americans? Trump's Administration Says Yes.

Vice President J.D. Vance and Sen. Cynthia Lummis are among the latest conservatives to turn their backs on free speech when it comes to their ideological opponents.

Joe Lancaster | 9.19.2025 4:03 PM

Jimmy Kimmel | David Becker/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Politics

The FCC Should Let Jimmy Kimmel Be

What the Trump administration is doing to late-night comedy is clearly jawboning.

Robby Soave | 9.18.2025 2:43 PM

Brendan Carr, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to run the Federal Communications Commission | Graeme Sloan/Sipa USA/Newscom

First Amendment

Brendan Carr Flagrantly Abused His Powers To Cancel Jimmy Kimmel

"We can do this the easy way or the hard way," the FCC chairman said, threatening to punish broadcasters for airing the comedian's show.

Jacob Sullum | 9.18.2025 2:25 PM

Jimmy Kimmel and movie premiere | Image Press Agency/Sipa USA/Newscom

FCC

Did You Ask the FCC If You Can Make That Joke?

Plus: America's cocaine habit, how Charlie Kirk handled South Park, and more...

Liz Wolfe | 9.18.2025 9:30 AM

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr speaks at a hearing of the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government | Michael Brochstein/Sipa USA/Newscom

First Amendment

Brendan Carr and Ted Cruz Don't Think Charlie Kirk's Murder Justifies Speech Restrictions

Rand Paul, who called for "a crackdown on people" who celebrated the assassination, was less careful in distinguishing between private and government action.

Jacob Sullum | 9.16.2025 5:35 PM

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr speaks at a hearing of the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government | Michael Brochstein/Sipa USA/Newscom

First Amendment

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's Meddling in Broadcast Journalism Contradicts His Own Avowed Views

As a minority FCC member during the Bush administration, Carr condemned government interference with newsroom decisions.

Jacob Sullum | 7.30.2025 12:01 AM

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr testifying before a Senate subcommittee | Michael Brochstein/Zuma Press/Newscom

First Amendment

The FCC's Paramount/Skydance Decision Aims To Reshape Broadcast Journalism by Bureaucratic Fiat

Chairman Brendan Carr thinks his agency should strive to ensure that news coverage is fair and balanced—a role precluded by the First Amendment.

Jacob Sullum | 7.25.2025 4:15 PM

A photo of Brendan Carr with black redaction bars on his face | Illustration: Joanna Andreasson; Source image: Gage Skidmore

Free Speech

If Brendan Carr Cares About Free Speech, He Should Make These Changes at the FCC

Now is the perfect time for the FCC to change its precedent to comply with the First Amendment.

Robert Corn-Revere | 6.17.2025 6:00 AM

President Donald Trump at the White House | Lenin Nolly/Zuma Press/Newscom

First Amendment

Trump's Threats Against Musk and Newsom Reflect an Authoritarian Intolerance of Dissent

Even if the president was joking in both cases, he already has used his powers to punish people whose views offend him.

Jacob Sullum | 6.11.2025 12:01 AM

President Donald Trump and the logo for Paramount Pictures, a subsidiary of Paramount Global. | Illustration: Eddie Marshall | Chris Kleponis | Pool via CNP | Newscom | Paramount Pictures Corporation (Paramount Global)

Donald Trump

Trump Wants $25 Million To Settle His Meritless 60 Minutes Lawsuit

In a legal filing this week, Trump argued that routine edits to a CBS News interview he did not participate in caused him "confusion and mental anguish."

Joe Lancaster | 5.30.2025 1:45 PM

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, the Disney logo, and the FCC.gov website. | llustration: Eddie Marshall | Pool | Raffaele1 | Jarretera | Dreamstime.com | ZUMA | Press | Newscom

Disney

FCC Chair Investigates Disney Over Potential Past and Present DEI Policies

Disney scaled back DEI policies this year. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr still opened an investigation.

Joe Lancaster | 4.1.2025 12:40 PM

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr testifying before a Senate subcommittee | Michael Brochstein/Zuma Press/Newscom

First Amendment

FCC Chair Brendan Carr Wants More Control Over Social Media

Carr advocates greater control over social media by federal regulators, despite a reputation for supporting free speech.

Joe Lancaster | 2.28.2025 4:20 PM

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and President Donald Trump, against the backdrop of the logo for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). | Illustration: Lex Villena; Gage Skidmore, Jeremy Hogan ZUMAPRESS Newscom

Free Speech

How the FCC's 'Warrior for Free Speech' Became Our Censor in Chief

Brendan Carr has a clear record of threatening to suppress constitutionally protected speech.

Joe Lancaster | 2.5.2025 1:15 PM

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr testifies before a U.S. Senate committee hearing. | Rod Lamkey/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

FCC

The Incoming FCC Chief Is No 'Warrior for Free Speech'

Brendan Carr is prepared to block a merger because he doesn't approve of minor CBS editorial decisions.

Joe Lancaster | 1.13.2025 3:30 PM

Brendan Carr, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to run the Federal Communications Commission | Graeme Sloan/Sipa USA/Newscom

First Amendment

Incoming FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's Beef With NewsGuard Is Legally Dubious and Empirically Shaky

The company, which says it takes an "apolitical approach" to rating news outlets, faces regulatory threats and a congressional probe because of its perceived bias against conservatives.

Jacob Sullum | 11.21.2024 5:30 PM

Brendan Carr, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to run the Federal Communications Commission | Graeme Sloan/Sipa USA/Newscom

FCC

Trump's Pick To Run the FCC Wants To Restrict the Editorial Discretion of Social Media Platforms

"Reining in Big Tech," Brendan Carr says, requires scrapping liability protections and restricting moderation decisions.

Jacob Sullum | 11.18.2024 4:35 PM

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