Summary
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated in a Senate testimony that the FCC is not formally independent, which led to the removal of the term "independent" from the agency's mission statement. This change aligns with a trend where regulatory agencies seem to be losing autonomy to the executive branch. The issue gained attention as Chairman Carr did not clearly say whether President Trump has direct authority over him and other FCC commissioners.
Key Facts
- Brendan Carr, FCC Chairman, testified that the FCC is not formally independent.
- The word "independent" was then removed from the FCC's mission statement on its website.
- This change reflects a broader trend of decreasing autonomy for regulatory agencies during President Trump's tenure.
- The Supreme Court is considering whether President Trump can fire Federal Trade Commission members.
- Senator Ben Ray Luján began questioning the FCC's independence during Senate testimony.
- Chairman Carr did not directly answer if President Trump can pressure him on media-related issues.
- Carr has supported removing a cap on local broadcaster mergers, which President Trump opposes.
- The FCC is evaluating the influence of national programmers over local news syndicates.
