GRAPEVINE, Texas — Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr escalated his warnings to broadcasters Friday, saying stations that fail to serve the “public interest” could face consequences up to losing their licenses, even as a major media deal he approved is drawing backlash from allies at the same conference.

During a CPAC interview with America First Legal Foundation General Counsel Julie Strauss Levin, Carr said his approach aligns with President Donald Trump’s broader push to challenge what he calls the “legacy national media.”