Wyden, Markey Urge FCC to Reject Trump’s Weaponization of Commission and Uphold First Amendment

Wyden, Markey Urge FCC to Reject Trump's Weaponization of Commission and Uphold First Amendment

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden said today that he and U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass. are urging all five Commissioners at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to make licensing determinations objectively and in a manner that upholds the First Amendment.

Following the presidential debate last week, Donald Trump stated that ABC is "a news organization. They have to be licensed to do it. They ought to take away their license for the way they did that." Trump's threat to revoke an FCC license over his dissatisfaction with ABC's handling of the debate is a serious threat to the First Amendment and antithetical to the FCC's mission, Wyden and Markey wrote in a letter to the FCC commissioners.

"Given former President Trump's repeated threats to weaponize the FCC's licensing authority, I request that you respond in writing by September 20, 2024, with your commitment to making licensing determinations objectively, based on the standards set forth in the Communications Act, and in a manner that upholds the First Amendment" the senators wrote. "Americans should have complete faith that each FCC commissioner will carry out their responsibilities objectively and consistent with the Constitution."

The full text of the letter is here.