Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Jessica Rosenworcel, whose tenure is nearing its conclusion, made pointed remarks about former President Donald Trump and the potential implications for the First Amendment as she announced several key decisions in her final weeks.

Rosenworcel, who has been a strong advocate for protecting the public interest in the communications sector, often opposed efforts that could consolidate media power in the hands of a few corporations.

This week, the FCC’s enforcement bureau dismissed four high-profile complaints that sought to penalize media organizations for their coverage of political events, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding press freedom.

Three of the dismissed complaints originated from conservative groups.

The first alleged that ABC News showed favoritism toward Vice President Kamala Harris over Donald Trump during their only debate in September.

The second claimed CBS had manipulated an interview with Harris during the campaign.

The third accused NBC of violating the FCC’s “equal time” rule by featuring Harris on Saturday Night Live before Election Day.

NBC Universal, which owns Saturday Night Live, is also the parent company of MSNBC.

The fourth complaint, submitted by a liberal organization, called for the revocation of the broadcast license of Philadelphia’s WTFX-TV, a Fox affiliate, for airing Fox News programs that supported Trump’s claims of election fraud following the 2020 presidential election.

In a statement addressing these dismissals, Rosenworcel underscored that all the complaints represented attempts to misuse the FCC’s licensing authority in ways incompatible with First Amendment protections.

“These efforts sought to weaponize the licensing authority of the FCC in a way that is fundamentally at odds with the First Amendment,” she wrote.

Rosenworcel’s statement placed Trump’s actions in a broader historical context, likening them to previous instances where government leaders have clashed with the press.

She referenced President John Adams’ enactment of a law criminalizing malicious statements about the federal government, President Nixon’s targeting of television stations investigating the Watergate scandal, and recent calls by Trump to revoke broadcast licenses for networks critical of his administration.

“More recently, this threat to the First Amendment has taken on new forms, as the incoming President has called on the Federal Communications Commission to revoke licenses for broadcast television stations because he disagrees with their content and coverage,” Rosenworcel stated.

She emphasized the enduring importance of broadcast media, noting, “These stations remain a vital source of local and national news. And there is nothing antiquated about the idea that the FCC has a duty to respect the Constitution.”

As Rosenworcel prepares to leave her post, the direction of the FCC under Trump’s influence remains uncertain. Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee and author of the Project 2025 agenda, is expected to take a more aggressive stance on media regulation if confirmed as Rosenworcel’s successor.

Critics, including journalist Mike Masnick, have raised concerns about Carr’s willingness to target media organizations, such as Disney, for political reasons.

In the coming months, the FCC’s ability to maintain its independence will be tested as it navigates the pressures of an increasingly polarized political environment.

Rosenworcel’s tenure serves as a reminder of the delicate balance the commission must strike in safeguarding press freedom while regulating the nation’s communications landscape.