The Trump FCC is leveraging public trust for political gain

In a raw exercise of leveraging public trust for political gain, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, at the behest of President Trump, is forcing America’s broadcasters to choose between free speech and their business interests. It is a bad business deal and an even worse deal for democracy. We saw it with Jimmy Kimmel, “The View,” and now the Iran war: When President Trump doesn’t like broadcast coverage of his administration, he often threatens their existence, and the chairman of the FCC joins in. Claiming that free speech is a violation of the public interest, Chairman Carr has told broadcasters they “have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up.” The message is clear: Align your coverage with the administration or risk your business. President Trump loves the intimidation. “I am so thrilled to see Brendan Carr, the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, looking at the licenses of some of these Corrupt and Highly Unpatriotic ‘News’ Organizations,” he posted on social media. That is not how a free society works, nor is it the appropriate role for the FCC and its chairman.