EDITORIAL: Brendan Carr delivers for America as a champion for free speech

Brendan Carr should be honored at the University of Virginia, founded by Thomas Jefferson, as Jefferson’s intellectual heir. Here's why.

In an era where free speech is increasingly under siege, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr stands as a resolute defender of open discourse and against the efforts of the far-left to use the public airwaves to stifle free speech. Commissioner Carr has shown his commitment by ensuring that these powerful platforms do not devolve into vehicles for outrageous lies and vicious smears.

Because nothing could damage free speech more than the far left getting to use the public airwaves to push its vicious propaganda and smears — something the far left has done without consequence for years.

Let’s review the facts. ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel made outrageous lies about Charlie Kirk’s death and attacked every conservative in America. ABC put Kimmel on leave, and now the left is blaming Brendan Carr, suggesting the FCC Commissioner put pressure on ABC to fire Kimmel.

This is an outrageous smear. ABC canned Jimmy Kimmel because Kimmel’s ratings are down, Kimmel is an embarrassment, and putting a liberal propagandist on the late night hour is a terrible business decision. Why would ABC run a low-rated show that insults the majority of the country?

And just imagine the outcry if the tables were turned. If ABC, NBC, or CBS hosted late-night shows featuring Republican voices every night, amplifying conservative perspectives while marginalizing others, liberals would be apoplectic. Such one-sidedness would undermine the very principles of a free press.

Yet, when the bias tilts left, the same critics fall silent. Carr’s has exposed this double standard, but exposing a double standard is very different than attacking free speech, as Carr’s critics wrongly allege.

Brendan Carr is a leading light for free speech in our time, a figure Thomas Jefferson — champion of liberty and skeptic of unchecked power — would undoubtedly admire. In fact, the Washington Reporter believes Carr should be honored at the University of Virginia, founded by Thomas Jefferson, as Jefferson’s intellectual heir.

Brendan Carr is a great American. And we are thankful for his service.