Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Anna Gomez, a Democrat, on Sunday labeled President Trump's threat to report NBC News anchor Kristen Welker to the agency as "dangerous," escalating a clash between the administration and the press.
Trump's warning came after Welker, host of "Meet the Press," reportedly noted during a preshow segment on NBC's Washington affiliate that the president's endorsed candidates have seen "mixed results" in the midterm primaries. In a post on Truth Social, Trump demanded to know how anyone could make such remarks "working for freely given Public Airwaves," and said Welker would be reported to the FCC for "rebuke or punishment."
Gomez, in a post on X, pushed back forcefully, writing: "As I've said many times, the FCC has no authority to punish journalists this administration doesn't like. These threats to press freedom are dangerous. They undermine the foundation of our democracy, and they have no place in it."
The commissioner's rebuke underscores a growing divide between the agency's Democratic members and the Trump-aligned chair, Brendan Carr, who has faced criticism for using the FCC's licensing authority as a cudgel against news outlets. The dispute comes amid a broader legal battle: Disney and ABC last week sued the FCC, arguing that the administration is attempting to censor journalists by pushing for early review of broadcast licenses.
Gomez praised Disney's move in an interview with MeidasTouch, saying she had "long called on companies to push back against this kind of government intimidation, and I'm glad Disney has shown courage and stepped up."
Welker's remark, as reported by CNN's Brian Stelter, referenced Trump's endorsement track record, noting that his pick of Sen. Darline Graham, sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, won her primary in South Carolina. However, several Trump-backed candidates have lost, including Rep. Cory Mills in Florida, Rep. Andy Ogles in Tennessee, and Michigan House candidate Amir Hassan.
This is not the first time Trump has clashed with Welker. In June, he abruptly ended an in-person interview with her after making unsubstantiated claims that the California gubernatorial primary was "rigged."
The president's threat to target Welker fits a pattern of escalating attacks on media figures, as seen in his broader feud with NBC and other outlets. Critics argue that such actions are designed to intimidate journalists and chill coverage, while the administration maintains it is holding the press accountable for what it views as biased reporting.
Gomez's comments highlight the legal reality that the FCC's authority over broadcast content is limited, and that using license renewals to punish individual journalists would likely face constitutional challenges. As the midterm elections approach, the tension between the White House and the press is likely to intensify, with the FCC emerging as a flashpoint in the fight over press freedom.
