FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 9, 2026

Contact: Michael Clauw, mclauw@campaignforaccountability.org, 202.780.5750

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, in response to a complaint Campaign for Accountability (CfA) filed on September 23, 2025, requesting an investigation into FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s overt, politically motivated threats to broadcasters, the Maryland Bar issued a letter saying it was declining to investigate and closing the file.

The Bar’s response did not address the substance of Mr. Carr’s conduct, but instead cited a rule providing that Maryland Bar Counsel “may decline a complaint […] derived from published news reports or third party sources where the complainant appears to have no personal knowledge of the information being submitted” (emphasis added). CfA’s complaint was based largely on Mr. Carr’s statements in a podcast and his posts on X.

CfA Executive Director Michelle Kuppersmith issued the following statement in response to the Bar’s rationale:

“The Maryland Bar Rules do not limit bar complaints only to those personally impacted by a lawyer’s misconduct. Although Maryland rules provide that Bar counsel ‘may’ dismiss a complaint that draws on public accounts – leaving it fully within counsel’s discretion to investigate allegations of violations – the Bar chose not to. Clearly, the Bar was looking for an excuse to duck its responsibility to hold Carr accountable for potential misconduct.”

Campaign for Accountability is a nonpartisan, nonprofit watchdog organization that uses research, litigation, and aggressive communications to expose misconduct and malfeasance in public life and hold those who act at the expense of the public good accountable for their actions.