FCC’s Gomez: Trump Administration in “Coordinated Efforts to Censor and Control”
In a speech at the 2025 Media Institute Communications Forum on May 15, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez criticized what she called the Trump administration’s “campaign to censor and control” stating “[S]ince day one the FCC has been implementing the will of this Administration and undermining the First Amendment at every turn.” Gomez said the administration has “initiated investigations and
floated debilitating rate regulation schemes that target national network broadcasters for their newsrooms’ editorial decisions, harassed private companies for their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, and threatened tech companies that respond to consumer demands for content moderation and fact-checking. Separately, they have attempted to shutter Voice of America and sought retribution against lawful residents that protest Administration policies.” She cited two occasions where presidents – FDR in 1939, and John F. Kennedy in the early 1960s – asked their FCC Chairs to shut down media outlets critical of their policies and those FCC Chairmen boldly refused. She added, “This is what courage looks like—FCC Chairs refusing to wield the agency’s licensing authority as a weapon in contravention of the First Amendment and the Communications Act, even in the face of political pressure.”
freedoms enshrined in the First Amendment and fighting back against what she calls the Trump administration’s ongoing campaign of censorship and control. Gomez says, “Since the founding of our country, the First Amendment has protected our fundamental right to speak freely and hold power to account. Today, the greatest threat to that freedom is coming from our own government. Silencing dissenting voices is not a show of strength – it’s a sign of fear. We must continue to speak out against this growing campaign of censorship and control before this dangerous new normal becomes the status quo.”
Carr of “illegally targeting broadcast networks and media companies perceived to be unfavorably covering the Trump Administration – wasting critical agency resources on bogus investigations in the process.” The lawmakers are also questioning Carr’s “commitment to his agency’s independence, given his frequent trips with the president to Mar-a-Lago and his targeting of entities that the president has criticized or sued in his personal capacity.” Committee Ranking Members says that “under Carr’s leadership, the FCC has harassed CBS for routine editing practices, reinstated lawfully denied complaints against ABC and NBC, launched a bogus investigation into KCBS-AM in San Jose simply for reporting publicly available information, and directed the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau to launch investigations into NPR and PBS based on false allegations.” The Committee is requesting documents and communications “related to its investigations of media entities,” “all communications between Carr and current White House officials and between Carr and other Trump Administration officials that relate to investigations,” as well as Carr’s travel records. 
Media CEO and WABC owner John Catsimatidis. Catsimatidis states, “I’m happy to welcome Andrew to our WABC family. After working in the White House and taking a run at the governorship of New York, Andrew brings an insider’s perspective on national, state, and local political issues to WABC Radio and its listeners.” Giuliani says, “It’s an honor to be a part of the #1 news/talk station in New York. WABC Radio is a combination of its rich history and incredible rebirth. I’m excited to get on the air and connect with the WABC Radio listeners in New York and around the world.” Giuliani was a special assistant to the president and associate director of the Office of Public Liaison during the Trump administration. In his position, he interfaced between the White House and business, nonprofit, and other groups, meeting with President Donald Trump up to four times a week. He also represented his office in White House meetings on the opioid crisis. A lifelong New Yorker, Giuliani ran for governor of New York in 2021.