In a continued display of partisan politics, FCC Chair Brandon Carr said he wants TV broadcasters to include more American-themed coverage for this year’s Semiquincentennial. (That’s 250 years, Latin fans.)
Per Variety, Carr’s declaration comes as the White House has launched the Pledge America Campaign. The pledge invites “citizens to have a renewed love of American history, experience the beauty of our country, and ignite a spirit of adventure and innovation that will raise our nation to new heights over the next 250 years.” Broadcasters are encouraged, for example, to begin each day’s broadcasts by airing “The Star-Spangled Banner” or Pledge of Allegiance.
“The White House is leading our national celebration of this historic event with the Salute to America 250 Task Force, which calls on the federal government, among others, to mark this momentous occasion,” Carr said in a statement. “As part of this effort, I am calling on broadcasters to pledge to provide programming that promotes civic education, national pride, and our shared history.”
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Carr also said that the effort isn’t solely about blind patriotism as this kind of programming is “more relevant than ever, as surveys show that civics education is in rapid decline.” (Gee, I wonder why?) He also made references to how “classic programming such as Schoolhouse Rock! is now only found in online archives.”
Carr added, “Broadcasters are uniquely positioned to help address these concerning developments by providing programming that celebrates the remarkable story of American Independence while also tailoring it to the specific needs of their local communities, in furtherance of their public interest obligations.”
Besides the aforementioned songs, Carr outlined other examples of potential “nonpartisan” programming. Those include PSAs and segments “promoting civic education, inspiring local stories, and American history”; news programs about National Park Service sites; profiles on American composers like George Gershwin and John Philip Sousa; and “Today in American History” announcements. Mr. Carr, would an AI-generated video of Sabrina Carpenter making out with Old Glory also suffice?!
This move is just the latest in Carr and the FCC’s heavy-handed approach to managing the American airwaves. In late 2025, Carr’s threats toward local TV syndicators led to the brief suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! More recently, Stephen Colbert said concerns over the FCC’s “equal time” rule prompted CBS to pull an interview he had scheduled with Texas Democrat James Talarico. Carr has since confirmed the FCC it will take “enforcement action” against talk shows over the equal-time rule.
Even if the FCC is being sincere about this “nonpartisan” programming, this administration has a history of editing and whitewashing our shared history. For instance, this last week the administration was ordered to reinstate a “slavery exhibit” that they had removed from a Philadelphia national park.
Still, if the FCC is really looking to air coverage to unite all Americans, may I suggest the following clip:
