Democratic Lawmakers: Chairman Pai Response to President Trump Tweets Falls Short

The first returns from Capitol Hill on Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai's response to President Trump's tweeted attacks on the press were not promising.

Senate Communications Subcommittee Ranking Member Brian Schatz (D-HI) said, “This statement is better than nothing, but it is merely a reiteration of the FCC’s authorities under the law. What we needed is a full-throated defense of the independence of the FCC against political interference. When the president announced his intent to retaliate against a broadcaster based on content, the FCC should have rejected it.”

House Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ) said, "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.”