FCC Chair Accuses Comcast of Misleading Coverage on Deported Migrant

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has publicly criticized Comcast-owned news outlets, accusing them of misleading the public by portraying Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant recently deported from the U.S., as merely a law-abiding 'Maryland man' while allegedly omitting his purported ties to the MS-13 gang and the circumstances of his deportation. Carr argued that such reporting constitutes 'news distortion' and suggested that Comcast’s broadcast licenses could be at risk if its outlets fail to serve the public interest, as required by federal law. His statements followed a White House press briefing featuring Patty Morin, whose daughter was murdered by an immigrant, and which some networks declined to air, prompting further accusations of media bias. Critics have raised concerns about Carr’s remarks, arguing that an FCC official should not threaten broadcasters over editorial choices and have questioned the evidence supporting claims about Garcia's gang affiliation. The situation has ignited a broader debate over media accountability, government pressure on news organizations, and the boundaries of regulatory authority. The controversy highlights heightened tensions between the Trump administration and media outlets regarding immigration coverage and the role of independent journalism.