Overview

• President Trump issued executive orders in February 2025 requiring White House approval for all FCC actions and granting unilateral enforcement authority to Chairman Brendan Carr.
• Carr reopened a closed complaint against CBS and linked it to the network's license review, echoing Trump's prior allegations of election interference.
• The FCC launched investigations into KCBS Radio for reporting ICE raid locations and accused major tech firms of forming a 'censorship cartel.'
• Critics, including former FCC chairs, argue these actions undermine the agency’s independence and violate First Amendment protections.
• Despite promising to clarify the public interest standard through rulemaking, Carr has yet to establish clear guidelines, fueling concerns over potential abuse of power.