Trump names ‘big tech’ critic Brendan Carr to head US comms regulator

Key Points

• The appointment requires approval from members of the US Senate.

• Trump’s top team is largely in place ahead of his inauguration on January 20, but some roles may face obstacles.

• Carr’s promotion to chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was announced by Trump on November 18, 2024.

• The president-elect described Carr as a “warrior for free speech” and praised his efforts to “fight against the regulatory lawfare that has stifled Americans’ freedoms, and held back our economy.”

• Carr’s chapter in Project 2025 makes a range of policy proposals, including:

• Reining in firms such as Google and Facebook with transparency rules

• Improving rural broadband access

• Toughening up the stance on TikTok, which has a Chinese parent company