FCC urges broadcasters to run 'pro-America' programming for 250th

Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr is urging broadcast media companies to air “patriotic, pro-America content” in a new campaign aligned with President Donald Trump’s Freedom 250 initiative celebrating the country’s milestone anniversary.  

Carr and the FCC announced the “Pledge America Campaign,” Feb. 19 encouraging broadcasters to run programming that emphasizes the country’s “historic accomplishments … from our founding through the Trump Administration today.” 

Examples of programming that fit the initiative include, PSAs or short segments promoting civics education, news segments that highlight National Parks, or beginning each day by broadcasting the “Star Spangled Banner” or Pledge of Allegiance, the FCC said.  

“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 the announcement. “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.” 

The FCC said participation in the campaign is voluntary.  

Carr said the programming push was in line with broadcaster's “public interest obligation.”  

The new initiative comes as Carr and the FCC have faced increased scrutiny from media watchdogs for appearing to threaten enforcement against media organizations airing programming critical of the Trump administration.  

In late 2025, Carr made comments interpreted by some as a threat to pull ABC station licenses if Jimmy Kimmel wasn’t fired from late night over remarks the comedian made on his show about Charlie Kirk’s assassination.  

More recently, Carr appeared to dismiss criticism related to CBS late night host Stephen Colbert’s interview with a Democratic Senate candidate from Texas being pulled from the air, after the network’s lawyers said it could face scrutiny from the FCC “equal time” rule. 

“I look forward to broadcasters showcasing its inspiring history by taking the Pledge and fulfilling their public interest mandate to serve the needs and interests of their local communities as America’s 250th birthday celebration marches on,” Carr said in the Feb. 19 Pledge America announcement.  

Karissa Waddick, who covers America's 250th anniversary for USA TODAY, can be reached at [email protected].