Keep [media outlets] on their back foot.
Some have written off some of the criticism of Carr as the alarmism of the center-left media.
Bush, wrote in a recent op-ed.
(L-R) Brendan Carr and Donald Trump in NovemberBrandon Bell/Getty Images
I like Brendan, Wheeler said.
He is incredibly smart.
He is strategically a genius, and he iswilling to take risks.
I think we are seeing that play out.
Carr also has been very ambitious.
He also seems to relish all the furor over his attacks on the media.
Even before Trump, just after the election, appointed him chairman, Carr was attacking media bias.
But Carr has pressed ahead.
Soon after the inauguration he revived a complaint against NBC over the Harris appearance.
Carrs predecessor, Jessica Rosenworcel, had dismissed those complaints, in addition to the one against60 Minutes.
She warned that the FCC should not be the presidents speech police.
Carr has acknowledged the agencys limits.
I dont want to be the speech police.
Its not my decision to hold broadcasters to a public interest obligation, Carr told CNBC.
And if they dont like that, then they should go to Congress to change the law.
An FCC spokesperson did not respond to requests for Carr to comment.
Bend the knee
There is something that can stop Carrs efforts: the courts.
The National Association of Broadcasters has spoken out on some of Trumps attacks on the media.
What lobbyists didnt expect, however, is the level of sheer ingratiation needed.
Amazon purchased aMelania Trump documentaryfor a reported $40 million.
Another analyst said, I think it will close.
I dont know that theres a good anti-concentration reason to block this.
Skydance is not big.
This is just payback.
I just think they want Paramount to bend the knee, and I think Paramount will bend the knee.
Because Larry is one of the tech guys and they are all bending the knee.
They will do whatever it is they need to do.
The question is whether that greenlight will come after CBS settles the lawsuit with Trump.
A Supreme Court decision last year limited federal agency authority to interpret federal laws.
Carr, meanwhile, is signaling that there is more to come.
Jill Goldsmith contributed to this report.
