FCC chair once called government pressure on media a ‘chilling transgression of free speech.’ Now, he’s doing just that

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr testifies during the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government hearing on oversight of the Federal Communications Commission on May 21. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc./Getty Images

Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr built his brand in part by warning against government meddling in “free speech” — now it appears he’s using his office to do just that.

For years, Carr cast himself as a First Amendment purist, denouncing efforts by Democrats and Republicans to lean on TV providers and social media platforms as “censorship” and a “chilling transgression of free speech.”

He’s defended political satire as “one of the oldest and most important forms of free speech” and warned that even subtle or informal pressure