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Jimmy Williams
President-elect Donald Trump announced Sunday his selection of Brendan Carr, a current Republican commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), to serve as its chairman. Carr, a vocal advocate for reforming tech regulations, played a key role in shaping conservative priorities for the FCC through his contributions to the Project 2025 policy guide.
Carr will lead the agency responsible for regulating communications, including radio, television, and internet services, with an agenda focused on limiting Big Tech’s influence, advancing national security, and expanding access in rural areas.
Trump’s Praise for Carr
In his announcement, Trump praised Carr as “a warrior for Free Speech” who will counter the “regulatory onslaught that has been crippling America’s Job Creators and Innovators.”
Trump added, “Brendan Carr will ensure that the FCC delivers for rural America, promotes economic prosperity, and fights against the censorship of Americans’ voices by powerful tech platforms.”
Carr expressed his gratitude in a post on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “I am humbled and honored to serve as Chairman of the FCC. Now we get to work.”
Carr’s Vision for the FCC
Carr’s policy priorities reflect recommendations he outlined in his chapter of Project 2025, a conservative playbook for federal governance. In the book, Carr emphasized a need to:
- Rein in Big Tech: Carr advocates reforming Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which grants internet companies immunity for user-generated content. He has argued that platforms like social media companies should not maintain these protections while censoring speech.
- Address National Security: He has previously called for TikTok to be banned in the U.S. if it cannot sever ties with its China-based parent company, ByteDance.
- Boost Rural Access: Carr supports initiatives to expand broadband and improve infrastructure for underserved rural communities.
- Ensure FCC Accountability: He has pledged to streamline the FCC’s regulatory processes and promote “good governance.”
Carr has also been a vocal critic of TikTok, expressing concerns over its connections to the Chinese government. While Trump himself has had mixed views on TikTok—going so far as to join the platform this year—Carr has consistently pushed for strong measures, including an outright ban if national security risks cannot be mitigated.
What’s Next for the FCC?
The FCC is a bipartisan agency composed of five commissioners serving staggered five-year terms, with no more than three commissioners allowed from the same political party. Carr’s elevation to chairman will give Republicans a greater influence over the commission’s agenda under Trump’s administration.
Carr’s priorities are expected to align with Trump’s broader deregulatory approach and his emphasis on free speech and economic innovation. Reforms targeting Section 230 and Big Tech could spark significant debate both in Congress and across the tech industry.
Carr’s FCC Agenda in Context
Carr’s appointment comes amid growing Republican criticism of tech platforms for alleged censorship of conservative voices. His stance on reining in Big Tech aligns with Trump’s campaign promises to address perceived biases and ensure a level playing field online.
Carr’s emphasis on rural connectivity and national security also reflects broader Republican priorities, including boosting infrastructure and countering perceived threats from China.
As Carr takes the helm of the FCC, the agency is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of communication and technology in the U.S.
