On Sunday, November 17th, President-elect Trump announced that he has selected Brendan Carr to serve as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Carr, a senior Republican member of the FCC, has been confirmed by the Senate three times since his 2017 nomination. He has earned praise for his commitment to free speech, regulatory reform, and his focus on addressing the needs of rural America.
In his statement, Trump commended Carr for his work on the FCC, saying, “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.” He added, “I will now be designating him as permanent Chairman,” referencing Carr’s current term, which runs through 2029.
Carr, who has served on the FCC since 2012, expressed his gratitude in a social media post, saying, “I am humbled and honored to serve as Chairman of the FCC. Now we get to work.”
Carr aligns with the policy priorities outlined in the conservative Project 2025 playbook “Mandate for Leadership”. In the chapter he wrote, Carr advocates for reigning in Big Tech, prioritizing national security, and enhancing FCC accountability and governance. He also calls for stronger regulation of social media platforms and reforms to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which shields platforms from liability for user-generated content.
Carr’s leadership has earned support from various groups, including Patrick Yoes, national president of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), who emphasized Carr’s two decades of experience and stated, “He would make an outstanding FCC Chairman who will ensure the United States continues to lead the world in telecommunications advancements and innovations.”
With Carr at the helm, the FCC is expected to tackle regulatory challenges facing tech companies while safeguarding free speech and encouraging innovation. As Chairman, Carr is poised to lead the agency through a pivotal period in U.S. telecommunications policy.
