An ethics complaint has been filed against Federal Communications Chairman Brendan Carr, alleging he has engaged in “egregious misconduct.”
At issue is a reaction to a statement from Carr, which The Freedom of the Press Foundation said exerted politically-motivated pressure on Paramount Global to settle a lawsuit from President Donald Trump last year against the CBS News division.
“Everyone from U.S. senators to CBS employees to a dissenting FCC commissioner has said the settlement appears to have been a bribe to grease the wheels for Carr’s FCC to approve the merger,” the FPF said in its complaint, according to The Desk. “Even putting Paramount aside, Carr has pursued numerous other frivolous and unconstitutional legal proceedings and threatened more of them in furtherance in his efforts to intimidate broadcast licensees to censor themselves and fall in line with Trump’s agenda.”
The company Skydance, which is owned by Trump supporter David Ellison, is attempting to purchase Paramount/CBS and the merger must be approved by the FCC. However, the FCC refused to approve the merger until the lawsuit from Trump was settled and Carr got promises from Paramount/CBS that they would end all diversity programs in the company and appoint someone to oversee the end of the “diversity, equity and inclusion” at the company.
Carr then approved the merger.
“Carr’s actions brazenly violate legal and ethical standards that govern the practice of law and public officials, undermining the First Amendment, the FCC’s credibility and the laws he is trusted to administer,” the FPF continues. “His abuse of his office to force an unwarranted settlement of a private lawsuit, is shameful and warrants disbarment.”