Carr transforms FCC from regulator to political enforcer in under 100 days

The Verge flags the FCC’s stark transformation under Chairman Brendan Carr. Once a regulatory agency focused on telecom oversight and consumer protections, the FCC has increasingly served as an instrument of political retribution aligned with President Trump’s grievances.

Carr, who lacks a voting majority, has sidestepped traditional policymaking to launch what critics call “publicity-seeking pseudo-investigations.” Targets have included CBS, Comcast, Verizon, and Disney — all accused of insufficient deference to the administration. The chair’s actions range from threats to revoke broadcast licenses to probes into diversity and inclusion practices, despite limited statutory authority to do so.

Gigi Sohn, a former FCC nominee, called Carr’s tactics “beyond what I expected,” and warned of their chilling effect on press freedom and corporate independence. His critics argue that the investigations have little legal basis but serve to intimidate and publicly discredit entities critical of the administration.

Carr’s moves align with the Trump administration’s broader effort to dismantle regulatory constraints and weaken federal oversight. In tandem with the Supreme Court’s Loper Bright decision, which curtails agency autonomy, Carr’s FCC is eliminating rules on media consolidation, broadband pricing transparency, and digital discrimination.

With federal consumer protection now effectively hollowed out, advocates are urging state and local governments to step in. Several states have already passed net neutrality laws or launched community broadband initiatives, but resources remain limited.

Victor Pickard of the University of Pennsylvania emphasizes the need for bold investment in public media and local journalism: “We must defend and rebuild institutions essential to democracy before they disappear entirely.”