FCC Cuts ‘Independent’ From Mission Statement After Chair Refuses To Discuss Trump’s Influence
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BreakingBusinessFCC Cuts ‘Independent’ From Mission Statement After Chair Refuses To Discuss Trump’s InfluenceByMary Whitfill Roeloffs,Forbes Staff. Mary Roeloffs is a Forbes breaking news reporter covering pop culture.Follow AuthorDec 17, 2025, 01:59pm ESTDec 17, 2025, 02:48pm ESTToplineThe Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday cut the word "independent" from its official mission statement after chair Brendan Carr dodged questions about President Donald Trump’s role within the agency while testifying before members of the Senate. Brendan Carr, commissioner of the FCC, on Dec. 17, 2025 in Washington, DC. Getty ImagesKey FactsThe FCC, which regulates radio and television broadcasts nationwide, has long described itself as an “independent U.S. government agency overseen by Congress” and has always officially operated separately from the day-to-day political pressures of elected officials. On Wednesday, however, Carr said the FCC "is not an independent agency formally speaking" and the word “independent” was removed from its website’s official mission statement, seemingly a result of the moves Trump has taken to exert his control over the agency since he first took office. Carr faced a smattering of questions from the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee about pressuring broadcasters to take Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show off the air after he commented on the death of late conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, and about Trump’s role within the agency. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., told Carr his exerting of influence over networks in telling them to remove Kimmel from the air was a “clear attempt to chill free speech,” but Carr said he was simply "enforcing the public interest standard" the FCC is tasked with upholding. Carr refused to answer questions about if it’s appropriate for Trump to pressure him to go after private media companies, if he’d ever taken orders from the Trump administration or if he considered the president to be his boss. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, a Joe Biden appointee, said at the hearing that the agency under Trump has taken "actions to intimidate government critics, pressure media companies and challenge the boundaries of the First Amendment.”This is a developing story and will be updated.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here: joinsubtext.com/forbes.Key BackgroundThe FCC regulates airwaves and enforces rules covering obscene content or language, political advertising and more to maintain a "public interest" standard rooted in the Communications Act of 1934. It also holds power over TV and radio station owners because it has the final say over transfers and acquisitions of station licenses. Though the sitting president does appoint the five commissioners who run the agency, it has historically operated independently of executive influence. Trump, however, has been unusually involved. He first issued an executive order requiring the FCC to report directly to the White House Office of Management and Budget and then repeatedly pushed Carr to take action against U.S. broadcasters. Earlier this month he said he will have a say in whether a proposed merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery goes through. Read MoreGot a tip? Share confidential information with Forbes.Editorial StandardsReprints & PermissionsLOADING VIDEO PLAYER...FORBES’ FEATURED Video