FCC Chair Brendan Carr accused Democrats of “weaponizing” the Federal Communications Commission during an appearance Monday on CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street.”
Host Sara Eisen asked Carr if he would be comfortable with Democrats regaining power over the agency under a future Democratic president, and whether he would accept them asserting the same enforcement against conservative media. Carr responded by pointing to actions taken during the Biden administration.
“Well, Democrats were in charge of the FCC in the Biden era. They claimed far more sweeping powers than I’m suggesting, and for overtly partisan political reasons unlike the steps that we’re taking,” Carr said. He cited instances such as the FCC considering non-renewal of a Fox broadcast TV license due to content on Fox News Cable, and Democratic senators like Ed Markey urging investigations into Sinclair Broadcast Group.
“When the Biden FCC came in, they didn’t renew almost a single license for Sinclair the entire time — that was unprecedented,” Carr added. He also claimed Democrats pressured cable companies to drop Fox News, OAN, and NewsMax, alleging that national media ignored these actions.
“The Democrats massively weaponized the FCC. I’m confident if they back in, they’re gonna massively weaponize it again,” Carr stated. “I don’t think that means we should do the same thing, but let’s at least enforce the public interest standard.”
When Eisen questioned whether Carr had become a “culture warrior” turning the FCC into a political commission, he replied, “If culture is making sure the laws on the books are enforced, then I guess I’m a culture warrior.”
Carr’s comments come as Senate Democrats demand he rescind an order for early license reviews of Disney’s eight ABC stations, years ahead of schedule. In a letter, Democrats called the review a “blatant effort” to punish Disney for refusing President Donald Trump’s calls to fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over a joke. Carr, who announced the review a day after Trump’s push, insists it is part of an investigation into Disney’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices, not political pressure.
