Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission, on Monday said that pulling CBS’ broadcast license is a lawful “penalty,” not a mere rhetorical warning, signaling an escalation in the administration’s conflict with mainstream media, Mediaite reported.

Carr, appointed by President Donald Trump, told CNBC’s Sara Eisen, “Over the years, the FCC has stepped back from enforcing that public interest obligation [under the Communications Act]. I think the FCC should do what Congress wants us to do and enforce those laws. We’re going to see where this investigation goes.”

Carr’s remarks came after he reinstated complaints against CBS and NBC that had been dismissed under the Biden administration. The complaints were originally filed by Trump-aligned groups and rejected by the former FCC chair, who warned they could chill free speech.

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