Democrat Sen. Jacky Rosen attempts a “gotcha” moment during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing, only to be shut down by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr appeared before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on Wednesday — and what Democrats clearly hoped would be a “gotcha” moment instead turned into another public humiliation for the Left.
Under Carr’s leadership, the Federal Communications Commission has moved aggressively to reassert its statutory authority over broadcast media — not cable — and to hold legacy networks accountable under existing law. That distinction proved fatal to Democrats’ narrative.
Carr has reinstated or revived complaints and investigative actions involving ABC, CBS, and NBC, including scrutiny of election-related programming, debates, and interviews, most notably a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris.
He has also launched inquiries into Comcast/NBCUniversal’s DEI policies, questioning whether those programs violate FCC equal employment rules. Even so-called “neutral” outlets like NPR and PBS have received letters and been subjected to review actions.
That reality did not stop Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) from attempting to corner Carr by implying political favoritism toward Fox News.
The problem? Rosen appeared not to understand the most basic legal distinction between broadcast television and cable news, a difference that has governed FCC authority for decades.
Here is how the exchange unfolded:
Jacky Rosen:
“Will you commit to opening an investigation into Fox News for its deceptive editing of this clip? Again, yes or no, please, because I have questions for the other witnesses.”
Brendan Carr:
“No.”
At that point, Rosen doubled down — and things went downhill fast.
Jacky Rosen:
“No. You’re an elected bureaucrat. You’re deciding that some investigation should go on and others shouldn’t. Are you basing this solely on the target? What are you basing this on? Can you answer that question? This was clearly edited. Why is one edit fine and one edit not in the middle of a presidential campaign?”
Carr calmly dismantled the premise of her accusation in one devastating response.
Brendan Carr:
“Senator, it’s based on the law. The Fox News interview was on cable. There’s no public interest standard. There’s no broadcast hoax rule. There’s no news distortion. There’s no role for the FCC there.”
The FCC’s content-related authority applies to over-the-air broadcast television and radio, which use public spectrum licenses.
Cable news networks such as Fox News are not broadcast over public airwaves; they are delivered via private cable and satellite systems. As a result, the FCC cannot regulate, censor, or investigate the editorial content of cable news channels.
Rather than acknowledging the mistake, Rosen attempted to invent authority where none exists.
Jacky Rosen:
“Well, there is a rule for fairness, and the American public understand what’s fair and just.”
Brendan Carr:
“Do you think there’s a broad fairness rule that we should apply at the FCC to cable companies?”
With no answer, Rosen abruptly abandoned the topic. And just like that, the “gotcha” evaporated.
Jacky Rosen:
“I’m going to go on to merger threats then.”
It is amusing to watch Democrats realize they have been owned and then attempt to pretend it never happened.
WATCH:
HOLY CRAP! FCC Chair Brendan Carr SHUTS DOWN Dem senator pushing for investigation into Fox News
He then leaves the Senator stumbling for words after his response!
This is EPIC pic.twitter.com/UIemDL3fh2
— Alec Lace (@AlecLace) December 17, 2025
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