WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr faced Senate questioning Wednesday for the first time since he pressured broadcasters to take ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel off the air, a stance that drew bipartisan criticism and raised concerns about government interference in the media.

Texas, grilled Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr on Wednesday over his push for broadcasters to take ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel off the air.

The Federal Communications Commission chairman faced questioning over the agency’s role in pressuring media companies and its independence from the president.

For the most part, it was Democrats who hammered Carr on his Kimmel comments, but Cruz reiterated his critique at the start of the hearing. He also, however, accused his Democratic colleagues of hypocrisy over their silence over alleged jawboning during the Biden administration. Cruz called on his Democratic peers to join him in passing reforms.

Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) called for the FCC chairman's resignation, saying he had turned the agency “into the 'Federal Censorship Commission.'”

Chair Brendan Carr suggested on Wednesday that the agency is not independent from President Trump’s administration after being pressed by senators on

Leaders of the Federal Communications Communications Commission outlined goals for increased broadband access, spectrum development and rules deregulation on Wednesday. In a hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee,

Dec. 17, 2025 – 01:25 – Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr is testifying in front of the Senate on Wednesday.