Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Monday joined the growing number of Democrats who are calling on the head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to disavow President Trump’s calls to challenge certain media outlets’ broadcast licenses.
Blumenthal sent a letter Monday to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai asking him to commit to not infringing on media outlets’ First Amendment rights.
“As FCC Chairman, sworn to uphold both the Constitution and the Communications Act, you have a duty to condemn this attack and reassure our nation and our journalists that you will stand up for them and protect and defend their fundamental freedoms,” Blumenthal wrote in a letter.
{mosads}Pai is facing increasing pressure to condemn Trump’s tweets from last week suggesting that NBC and others should have their licenses revoked.
“With all of the Fake News coming out of NBC and the Networks, at what point is it appropriate to challenge their License? Bad for country!” Trump said in a tweet in response to an NBC report that had him asking for an increase in the nation’s nuclear arms stockpile.
Blumenthal asked Pai to respond to him in writing by Nov. 1.
“I ask for your unwavering commitment that you will ensure the First Amendment remains a cornerstone of our democracy and that you will not follow through on this direction from the President,” Blumenthal wrote.