Brendan Thomas Carr, born on January 5, 1979, in Washington, D.C., is an American attorney and government official. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in government from Georgetown University in 2001 and graduated magna cum laude with a Juris Doctor from the Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law in 2005, where he served as an editor of the Catholic University Law Review.

After law school, Carr clerked for Judge Dennis Shedd on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. He then joined the law firm Wiley Rein, focusing on appellate and telecommunications law.

In 2012, Carr began his tenure at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as a staff member. He served as the agency’s general counsel before being nominated by President Donald Trump as an FCC commissioner in 2017, a position to which he was unanimously confirmed by the Senate. President Joe Biden reappointed him in 2023 for a term extending to 2028.

Throughout his time at the FCC, Carr has been a vocal advocate for expanding 5G infrastructure and streamlining regulations to promote broadband deployment. He has also been a prominent critic of major technology companies, expressing concerns over data privacy and content moderation practices. Notably, Carr has called for a ban on TikTok, citing national security risks.

In November 2024, President-elect Donald Trump selected Carr to serve as the permanent chairman of the FCC, succeeding Jessica Rosenworcel. This appointment underscores Carr’s commitment to free speech and a deregulatory agenda.

On a personal note, Carr is married to Machalagh Carr, who serves as Chief of Staff to U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. They reside in Virginia with their three children.