On Sunday, Donald Trump announced his nomination of Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), to serve as its chairman. The decision underscores Trump’s agenda to reshape the agency with a focus on deregulation and conservative values. In his statement, Trump praised Carr’s commitment to combating what he called regulatory overreach.
“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,” Trump said. “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 Ties to Project 2025
While Trump’s statement emphasized Carr’s advocacy for free speech and deregulation, it notably omitted his involvement with Project 2025, a controversial governance blueprint from the conservative Heritage Foundation. Carr authored the FCC section of the plan, which outlines sweeping changes to government agencies under a second Trump term.
According to NPR, “Carr also wrote the FCC section of Project 2025, the agenda that the conservative Heritage Foundation sketched out for a second Trump term.”
Trump had distanced himself from the Project 2025 document during the campaign, particularly after polls indicated its unpopularity. However, elements of the plan align closely with his public statements and policy priorities since the election.
Carr faced criticism from House Democrats over his involvement with the report, with calls for an investigation into whether he had engaged in partisan activity. Carr defended his actions, stating that he had received clearance from FCC ethics officials to contribute to the report in a personal capacity.
Mixed Reactions
Republicans critical of Trump responded tersely to the nomination, calling it “Shocking.” Meanwhile, the nomination highlights a broader push by Trump to consolidate power within federal agencies.
Carr’s track record on the FCC reflects his alignment with Trump’s deregulatory agenda, particularly in opposition to net neutrality and in support of industry-friendly policies. As chairman, Carr would likely steer the FCC in a direction consistent with Trump’s stated goals of reducing regulatory barriers and championing conservative interpretations of free speech.
The nomination sets the stage for a contentious confirmation process, with Democrats and anti-Trump Republicans expected to scrutinize Carr’s involvement with Project 2025 and his broader vision for the FCC.