President-elect Donald Trump has chose a familiar face as new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission: Brendan Carrthe agency’s top Republican commissioner.
The appointment of Carr, who has worked with the FCC since 2012, is likely to change focus, given Carr’s public positions on issues including net neutralitywhether the video service TikTok should be shut down and the government’s role in regulating social media companies such as Meta and X.
Carr would succeed acting FCC chairman Jessica Rosenworcel. In 2023, she proposed reinstating net neutrality rules that require internet service providers treat all data traffic the same waywithout limiting or speeding up websites or services based on business payments or other priorities.
“I am honored and humbled to serve as Chairman of the FCC,” Carr wrote on Sunday on“Now we get to work.” Carr posted Trump’s announcement, which named him the “permanent president” designate.
Carr has sharply criticized tech companies including Facebook, Google, Apple and Microsoft, calling them a “censorship cartel” and swearing in a chapter of the conservative governance manifesto Project 2025 (PDF) to take on these companies.
According to The Washington PostCarr supported Tesla founder Elon Musk and supports tougher restrictions on China.
Carr also stated that he supports a total ban on Chinese video service TikTok in the United States, even if Trump has recently reported that his administration can save the service.