Democrats’ First Amendment fight with the Trump administration is closing in on Brendan Carr. Senator Richard Blumenthal wants FCC records to start flowing this month, and he has a warning if they do not, as a Democratic majority prepares to take over Congress.
In a November 5 letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, Enforcement Bureau Acting Chief Hunter Deeley, and Media Bureau Acting Chief Alexander Sanjenis, Blumenthal, Ranking Member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, renewed document requests made March 12, 2025, July 29, 2025, and February 23, 2026.
The subcommittee minority has been conducting an inquiry into what the letter describes as the Trump administration’s attacks on the First Amendment, including how presidential and FCC actions affect freedom of speech and the press and bear on the laws governing media consolidation.
The letter asks the FCC to begin producing records by November 30, with additional records to follow on a schedule agreed in advance with subcommittee staff. It also asks the commission to confirm receipt of the letter with subcommittee staff by November 9. If the records are not voluntarily produced by January 4, 2027, the subcommittee will consider alternative measures to obtain compliance. Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson was copied on the letter.
In April 2025, House Energy and Commerce Committee Democrats Frank Pallone, Doris Matsui, and Yvette Clarke challenged Carr over what they called “attacks on the First Amendment,” including investigations of media outlets.
