washington u.s. federal communications commission chairman say tuesday agency authority revoke broadcast license despite suggestions president donald trump ajit pai republican name chairman telecommunications regulator january break days silence reject trump tweet fcc could challenge license nbc stories trump declare true law fcc authority revoke license broadcast station base content pai say forum fcc leadership stand first amendment first amendment u.s. constitution guarantee freedom speech freedom press democrats push pai denounce trump suggestion broadcast license could threaten follow report nbc news secretary state rex tillerson call moron discussion u.s. nuclear arsenal fake news come nbc network point appropriate challenge license bad country trump tweet wednesday trump supporters repeatedly use term fake news cast doubt media report critical administration often without provide evidence support case report untrue move challenge media company license however would likely face significant hurdle fcc independent federal agency license broadcast network issue individual broadcast station renew stagger basis eight-year periods comcast corp own nbc universal also own 11 broadcast station include outlets new york washington los angeles san francisco boston dallas chicago review license fcc must determine renewal public interest court hold station exercise first amendment right adequate ground challenge license agency issue similar license cable network cnn msnbc regulate internet news websites early 1970s then-president richard nixon top aid discuss use fcc license renewal process way punish washington post coverage watergate burglary ultimately bring presidency fcc chairman reject trump suggestion broadcast license