Key facts
- Thumann said she had not worked with Carr on media-related issues and was not familiar with details of the ABC investigation.
- Senator Ed Markey asked whether the FCC has authority to punish a broadcaster because the president disagrees with its coverage.
- Thumann said editorial decision-making is protected by the First Amendment for broadcasters.
- Luján said Carr will face questions from the Senate and House once Democrats take charge in January.
- Democrats said the committee should follow precedent and also nominate a Democrat to the commission.
Danielle Thumann, Donald Trump's nominee to serve as a Federal Communications Commission commissioner, faced questions from Senate Democrats at a confirmation hearing on November 10, 2026 about actions taken by the Brendan Carr-led regulator that Democrats criticized as hostile to press freedom.
Thumann, who serves as senior counsel to Carr, is expected to be approved as commissioner, with Republicans in charge of the US Senate and House. Senator Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico told her the commission's actions will be under close scrutiny when Democrats take charge of the chamber in January.
Luján asked repeatedly whether Thumann agreed with actions including an order in late April forcing ABC to apply early to renew its local station licenses, which followed criticism of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel by the president and Melania Trump, the first lady. Carr was also accused of pressuring ABC affiliates to drop Kimmel's show the previous fall. Thumann said she had not worked with the chairman on media-related issues and was not familiar with all details of the ABC investigation or the early license renewal.
Senator Ed Markey asked whether the FCC has authority to punish a broadcaster because the president disagrees with its coverage, and accused Thumann of evading his questions. Senator Tammy Duckworth asked whether Thumann would yield to political pressure to punish disfavored networks. Thumann said the commission has to deal with complaints against networks it regulates, and that editorial decision-making is protected by the First Amendment for broadcasters.
Several Senate Democrats said it was inappropriate for the commerce committee to hold the hearing and that Republicans should follow past precedent and nominate a Democrat to the commission as well. The FCC currently has one commissioner nominated by a Democratic president, Anna M Gomez, whose term has technically expired. At the end of the hearing, Luján warned Carr that he will face questions from the Senate and House.