FCC's Carr Creates a Council on National Security

Brendan Carr, the Chairman of the FCC, has announced the establishment of a new Council for National Security within the agency. This move reflects Carr’s focus on strengthening the FCC’s role in addressing national security threats, particularly those emanating from foreign adversaries like the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The Council for National Security is designed to leverage the FCC’s full range of regulatory, investigatory, and enforcement powers to safeguard U.S. telecommunications infrastructure and technology ecosystem. Carr highlighted the "persistent and constant threat" from foreign actors, especially the CCP, who he says are actively seeking ways to breach U.S. networks, devices, and technologies. 

The council aims to counter these risks by focusing on:

• Telecom Supply Chain Security: Addressing vulnerabilities posed by equipment and services from entities deemed national security risks, such as Chinese telecom firms.
• Cybersecurity Threats: Responding to incidents like the Salt Typhoon hacks, a sophisticated espionage campaign linked to China that targeted U.S. telecom firms to intercept sensitive communications.
• Emerging Technology Competition: Ensuring U.S. leadership in areas like 6G, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and space technologies, where China is a significant rival.

The council will include representatives from eight FCC bureaus and offices, ensuring a broad, coordinated approach across the agency’s jurisdictions. Adam Chan, Carr’s National Security Counsel, has been appointed as the director of this new body, bringing expertise from his prior roles in national security law and policy, including work with the U.S. House Select Committee on Strategic Competition with China.

Carr’s initiative comes amid heightened concerns over Chinese influence in U.S. telecommunications. His tenure as FCC Chairman, which began in January 2025 following his appointment by President Donald Trump, has been marked by a strong stance against perceived threats from China. This includes his long-standing advocacy for banning TikTok over national security concerns and his efforts to block Chinese telecom companies like China Mobile from operating in the U.S. The recent Salt Typhoon cyberattacks, which compromised U.S. telecom networks and accessed sensitive data, likely accelerated the council’s creation.

This council represents a shift toward a more assertive FCC role in national security, traditionally a domain of agencies like the Department of Defense or Homeland Security. It could lead to:

• Stricter regulations on foreign telecom equipment and services.
• Enhanced scrutiny of cybersecurity practices within the U.S. telecom sector.
• Increased FCC involvement in shaping policies around emerging technologies to counter China’s global influence.

Analysts see this as a natural extension of Carr’s prior work, such as his push to "rip and replace" insecure Chinese gear from U.S. networks. However, the council’s effectiveness will depend on its ability to coordinate with other federal entities and navigate the FCC’s jurisdictional limits, which historically focus on communications regulation rather than broad national security enforcement.