Trump appoints Brendan Carr as FCC Chair

President-elect Donald Trump has selected Brendan Carr to serve as the new chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Carr, who has previously been nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden, has been confirmed as an FCC commissioner three times by the Senate. Known for his firm stance on free speech and opposition to regulatory overreach, Carr has received praise from Trump for his efforts in these areas.

In his statement, Trump commended Carr’s record, stating, “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.”

Carr’s policy vision for the FCC was outlined in a chapter he contributed to Project 2025, a post-election policy plan from the Heritage Foundation. In this chapter, Carr emphasized four main priorities: reducing the power of Big Tech, safeguarding national security, fostering economic growth, and promoting accountability within the FCC.

A major concern for Carr has been the dominance of large tech companies like Google, Meta, and YouTube. He has pushed for more transparency from these platforms, advocating for rules that would require them to disclose how they manage internet traffic and content. He stressed, “We must dismantle the censorship cartel and restore free speech rights for everyday Americans.”

Carr also focused on national security in his policy recommendations, particularly concerning the social media app TikTok, which he argues could be a tool for Chinese influence. “TikTok provides Beijing with an opportunity to run a foreign influence campaign by determining the news and information that the app feeds to millions of Americans,” Carr warned.

Beyond his concerns about Big Tech, Carr has proposed measures to promote economic prosperity. He believes the FCC should prioritize closing the digital divide, especially by supporting the expansion of 5G infrastructure. This includes facilitating the construction of new cell sites and accelerating the development of satellite internet services like Starlink and Kuiper.

Carr has also called for stronger oversight of government broadband programs, criticizing the lack of safeguards in the use of broadband funds. “We must implement stronger governance measures to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used effectively,” he said.

Although Trump previously distanced himself from Project 2025, critics argue that his selection of Carr suggests a clear alignment with the goals laid out in the policy document. Journalist Ahmed Baba commented, “Trump picked Brendan Carr, the literal author of Project 2025’s chapter on the FCC, to be chairman of the FCC. Can’t say we didn’t warn you.”

With Carr now set to lead the FCC, his policies on Big Tech, national security, and economic growth are likely to shape the future of the commission and its role in regulating communications and technology in the U.S.

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