Trump Social Media Policy Draws Doubt From FCC Republican Member

O’Rielly asks whether agency has power to do Trump bidding
Trump moved to reduce protection after fact-check from Twitter

Michael O'Rielly, a Republican member of the Federal Communications Commission.
Photographer: Zach Gibson/Bloomberg

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By Todd Shields

June 12, 2020 at 4:39 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

A regulator whose vote could be needed to advance President Donald Trump’s order to reduce legal protections for Twitter Inc. and other social media companies has expressed doubt about the change.

Michael O’Rielly, a Republican member of the Federal Communications Commission that’s slated to write the social-media rules, said he wasn’t sure the agency has power to grant Trump’s request. Republicans hold a 3-2 edge at the FCC.