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 2025
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 2025, Trump appointed Carr to lead the FCC, succeeding Jessica Rosenworcel.
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Brendan Carr Biography Details
Born
Brendan Thomas Carr
January 5, 1979 (age 45)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political party
Republican
Spouse
Machalagh Carr
Education
Georgetown University (BA)
Catholic University of America (JD)
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
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 2025
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 2025, 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.