Brendan Thomas Carr born January 5, 1979 is an American lawyer who has served as a member of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) since 2017. Appointed by President Donald Trump, Carr previously held the position of general counsel for the FCC and worked as an aide to FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai. Before joining the FCC, he practiced law as a telecommunications attorney at Wiley Rein.
Brendan Carr Biography 2024
Carr is an advocate for reforming Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and is a vocal opponent of net neutrality protections. He is also known for his strong stance on banning TikTok due to national security concerns. Throughout his tenure, Carr has been notably outspoken on public policy issues, including accusing House Intelligence Committee chair Adam Schiff of leading a “secret and partisan surveillance machine.” In November 2024, Trump appointed Carr to lead the FCC, succeeding Jessica Rosenworcel.
Brendan Carr Biography Details
| Born | Brendan Thomas Carr January 5, 1979 (age 45)
Washington, D.C., U.S. |
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| Political party | Republican |
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| Spouse | Machalagh Carr |
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| Education | Georgetown University (BA)
Catholic University of America (JD) |
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Brendan Carr Early Life
Carr was born in Washington, D.C. on January 5, 1979. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in government from Georgetown University in 2001. He went on to attend the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University of America, where he served as an editor for the Catholic University Law Review. Carr graduated magna cum laude in 2005 with a Juris Doctor degree.
Brendan Carr Timeline of FCC Roles
Position | Year/Details |
Commissioner of the FCC | August 11, 2017 – Present |
General Counsel of the FCC | April 2017 – August 2017 |
Legal Advisor to Ajit Pai | Pre-2017 |
Early Legal Career
Firm | Role | Years Active |
Wiley Rein | Associate | 2005–2007 |
U.S. Court of Appeals | Law Clerk for Judge Dennis Shedd | 2007–2008 |
Education History
Institution | Degree/Field | Year |
Georgetown University | Bachelor of Arts in Government | 2001 |
Catholic University of America | Juris Doctor (Magna Cum Laude) | 2005 |
FCC Appointment History
Position | President | Date of Appointment |
Commissioner | Donald Trump | August 2017 |
General Counsel | Donald Trump | April 2017 |
FCC Chairman (Designate) | Donald Trump | January 2025 (anticipated) |
Carr Political Stances
Issue | Position |
Section 230 Reform | Support for changes to the Communications Decency Act |
Net Neutrality | Opposes protections |
TikTok | Advocates for banning on national security grounds |
Social Media Bias | Opposes alleged bias against conservative viewpoints |
Carr Public Criticisms
Entity/Person | Criticism |
Adam Schiff (House Intelligence Chair) | Accused of running a “secret and partisan surveillance machine” |
World Health Organization (WHO) | Criticized for its response to the COVID-19 pandemic |
Social Media Platforms (2020) | Accused of bias against Trump reelection campaign |
Key Actions During FCC Tenure
Issue/Action | Year | Details |
Broadband Funding Proposal | 2021 | Criticized Biden’s $100 billion broadband proposal |
Disinformation Governance Board | 2022 | Called for shutdown of DHS board |
Cybersecurity & Telecom in Taiwan | 2022 | First FCC member to visit Taiwan officially |
Carr Views on Big Tech and Telecom
Company/Technology | Position |
TikTok | Supports ban due to national security concerns |
Apple and Google (Antitrust) | Advocates for scrutiny over app store handling of TikTok |
Big Tech | Supports “reining in” Big Tech companies |
FCC and Telecom Policy Focus
Focus Area | Position |
Tech Regulation | Advocates for stronger regulation on tech platforms |
Broadband Deployment | Supports market-driven solutions over government intervention |
National Security and Telecom | Concerned about foreign influence and cyber threats |
Carr Support for Reforming Section 230
Aspect | Support for Change |
Section 230 | Advocates for reform of legal protections for tech companies |
Social Media Platforms | Calls for greater accountability for content moderation |
Carr Role in the 2020 Election
Event/Action | Year | Details |
2020 Presidential Election | 2020 | Criticized alleged bias against Trump’s campaign |
Social Media Regulation | 2020 | Advocated for reform of Section 230 and tech bias |
Statements on National Security
Topic | Position/Action |
TikTok Ban | Advocates for ban due to security risks |
National Security Concerns | Warns against foreign influence on U.S. tech |
Carr Advocacy for Conservative Policies
Policy Area | Position |
Big Tech | Advocates for regulation and accountability |
Federal Communications Policies | Supports deregulation in certain telecom sectors |
Leadership and Public Influence
Action/Statement | Date | Impact |
Appointment as FCC Chairman | November 2024 | Expected to lead new direction for the FCC |
Public Criticism of Social Media | 2020-2023 | Raised concerns about bias in tech platforms |
Carr Personal Life
Personal Detail | Information |
Birthdate | January 5, 1979 |
Spouse | Machalagh Carr |
Political Affiliation | Republican |
Brendan Carr Net Worth
Information Not Available.
Brendan Carr Summary
Brendan Carr, a lawyer and FCC member since 2017, has been an outspoken advocate for policy changes in telecommunications and technology regulation. Appointed by President Donald Trump, Carr’s tenure at the FCC has been marked by vocal positions on national security, social media regulation, and reforms to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. In 2024, he was nominated to become Chairman of the FCC, succeeding Jessica Rosenworcel. Carr’s influence in the tech world is substantial, with a clear focus on national security concerns and addressing the power of Big Tech.
