President-elect Donald Trump announced Brendan Carr, a conservative Federal Communications Commissioner, as his pick to chair the FCC.
The big picture: Trump emphasized Carr’s commitment to free speech and his intention to end regulatory measures that impact American freedoms and the economy.
- Brendan Carr, who is already a sitting commissioner, is set to assume immediate control upon Trump’s inauguration in January.
- The upcoming GOP agenda is expected to reverse progressive telecom priorities implemented under the Democratic FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel, including potentially revisiting net neutrality regulations.
Driving the news: Carr has been vocal about promoting free speech rights, criticized the Biden administration’s broadband expansion policies, and advocated for FCC involvement in social media content moderation discussions.
- Carr’s nomination received praise from congressional Republicans, past FCC officials, and Trump’s first FCC chairman Ajit Pai, despite concerns raised by tech industry representatives about his stance on online liability protections.
- While Carr’s agenda may face initial limitations due to the lack of a GOP majority at the agency, Trump is expected to nominate a third Republican commissioner for confirmation by the Senate.
