Threats to broadcasters hang over FCC nominee hearing

FCC nominee Danielle Thumann Severs waits to testify during her confirmation hearing with the Senate Commerce Committee on Tuesday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call) By Allison Mollenkamp Posted November 10, 2026 at 5:06pm President Donald Trump’s Republican nominee to the Federal Communications Commission faced opposition Tuesday from Senate Democrats who fear the commission could be controlled exclusively by Republicans under Chairman Brendan Carr, who they vowed to investigate in the next Congress. Appearing before the Senate Commerce Committee, nominee Danielle Thumann Severs limited her commitments to independence from Carr, including on regulating broadcasters based on their content decisions. Much of the hearing focused on Carr and his threats to use the FCC to punish broadcasters he disagrees with. Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., said that he expects Carr will not last long in his position once Democrats take control of Congress in the new year. “Mr.

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