FCC chair suggests agency isn't independent, word cut from mission statement
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in his Wednesday Senate testimony that the agency he governs “is not an independent agency, formally speaking.” During his testimony, the word “independent” was removed from the FCC’s mission statement on its website.
Why it matters: The extraordinary statement speaks to a broader trend of regulatory agencies losing power to the executive branch during the Trump era.
Last week, the Supreme Court appeared poised to allow President Trump to fire members of the Federal Trade Commission during oral arguments over the issue.
The White House referred Axios to the FCC for comment.
“With the change in administration earlier this year, the FCC’s website and materials required updating,” an FCC spokesperson said. “That work continues to ensure that they reflect the positions of the agency’s new leadership.”
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