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FCC Chair Claims Agency Isn't Independent Amid Censorship Concerns

12/17/2025

Summary

Story summary

Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), said on December 17, 2025, that the agency is not independent.
During a Senate hearing, Carr faced scrutiny for threatening to revoke local broadcast licenses over content, including ABC's Jimmy Kimmel.
Carr acknowledged that U.S. President Donald Trump can appoint and remove commissioners.
Democrats criticized his stance as risking censorship.
The FCC's website no longer describes the agency as independent.

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Story summary

Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), said on December 17, 2025, that the agency is not independent.
During a Senate hearing, Carr faced scrutiny for threatening to revoke local broadcast licenses over content, including ABC's Jimmy Kimmel.
Carr acknowledged that U.S. President Donald Trump can appoint and remove commissioners.
Democrats criticized his stance as risking censorship.
The FCC's website no longer describes the agency as independent.