FCC's Gomez Sounds Alarm On Free Speech

FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez, soon to be the only Democrat on the commission, warned of an "administration-wide effort" across multiple agencies to suppress free speech and silence dissent.

Speaking at a Free Speech forum at Cal State Los Angeles, hosted by the left-wing advocacy group Free Press, Gomez described the event as a "First Amendment tour" to highlight and counter these policies. Free Press co-CEO Jessica J. González called Trump’s actions a "clear effort to quash dissent," emphasizing the need to organize to protect free expression.

Brendan Carr

With the FCC led by Trump’s appointee Brendan Carr, Gomez faces challenges opposing the Republican majority. She accused the administration of a "campaign of censorship and control," citing "sham investigations" targeting broadcasters’ editorial choices. Referencing Trump’s lawsuit against 60 Minutes and pressure on its parent company, Paramount Global, Gomez argued that such actions aim to intimidate journalists into softening criticism. 

The Wrap reports she stressed that press freedom requires journalists to work without corporate interference.

Gomez noted Trump’s history of removing Democratic FTC members and said any attempt to fire her before her term ends would be illegal. “If I get fired, it’s not because I didn’t do my job, but because I insisted on doing it,” she said. 

Critics, including Gomez, question Carr’s claim that the FCC’s review of the Paramount-Skydance merger is unrelated to Trump’s lawsuit, viewing it as leverage to pressure Paramount into settling what experts call a baseless case.