San Fran Radio: Trump Admin Pressured Audacy's KCBS

A detailed investigative report published Monday by the Associated Press reveals that Audacy-owned all-news station KCBS-AM in San Francisco faced intense regulatory scrutiny and internal fallout in the opening days of President Donald Trump's second administration, stemming from its coverage of federal immigration enforcement actions.

Just six days into the new Trump term, on January 26, 2025, KCBS reporters broadcast details of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in San Jose, including descriptions of unmarked vehicles—such as a black Dodge Durango, gray Nissan Maxima, and white Nissan truck—along with their locations. The report, sourced from community networks and also covered by other outlets, quickly sparked backlash from conservative influencers and listeners who accused the station of endangering federal agents.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr responded by launching a formal investigation, issuing a letter of inquiry—the initial step in potential enforcement actions. Carr publicly questioned whether the reporting aligned with the station's public interest obligations under FCC rules, which require broadcasters to serve the community but historically protect journalistic decisions under First Amendment principles. 

The probe raised alarms among media watchdogs about potential government censorship, especially given Audacy's recent bankruptcy restructuring involving investment from a firm linked to George Soros, a frequent target of conservative criticism.

In the wake of the FCC threat, KCBS staffers reported significant internal changes: veteran journalists involved in the story were demoted or reassigned, and the station curtailed coverage of controversial political topics to avoid further regulatory risks. Reporters were summoned to meetings with Audacy-hired lawyers, fostering a climate of caution. 

One prominent reporter, Doug Sovern, departed the station in April 2025 amid these shifts.

The pressures highlight broader tensions between the Trump administration's FCC and broadcasters perceived as critical of its policies. Critics argue the inquiry exemplified efforts to chill independent journalism at local levels, beyond high-profile cases involving networks like ABC or CBS. 

Audacy, which emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier in 2025 with Soros-linked funding approved under the prior Biden-era FCC, faced additional scrutiny tied to its ownership.

KCBS issued a statement declining to comment on personnel matters but affirming no change in editorial policy and a commitment to "balanced and objective" news. The FCC did not respond to requests for comment.