Pallone Voices Disappointment at Pai’s Refusal to Speak Out Against Trump’s Intimidation of News Outlets
Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today after Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai made his first comments in defense of the First Amendment nearly a week after President Donald Trump threatened to revoke the broadcast licenses of TV networks he dislikes:
"Chairman Pai was right to assure the public that the FCC cannot revoke any broadcast licenses based on the content of a specific newscast, but I am disappointed that the Chairman continues to remain silent on the President's ongoing efforts to intimidate and threaten news outlets. The Chairman should therefore be prepared to commit—under oath, if necessary—that he will take no actions whatsoever to retaliate against news outlets in response to the President's pressure."
Last week, Pallone and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Mike Doyle (D-PA) called for a hearing with Chairman Pai and the other FCC Commissioners to publicly disavow President Trump's repeated threats to revoke NBC's broadcaster license due to its reporting. The Republican majority has since announced that it will hold a hearing next week.
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