Supreme Court sides with Trump administration on federal regulation of telecom companies – USA News 05 June 2026
The Supreme Court has sided with the Trump administration in a case about the power of federal regulators over telecommunications companies. In an 8-1 ruling Th
Date: June 05, 2026 | Source: Associated Press | Category: USA News
Overview
The Supreme Court has sided with the Trump administration in a case about the power of federal regulators over telecommunications companies. In an 8-1 ruling Thursday, the justices preserved one of the Federal Communications Commission’s key enforcement tools…
Key Details
By LINDSAY WHITEHURST Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year]
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration Thursday in upholding the power of federal regulators to enforce data privacy laws on telecommunications companies.
The 8-1 decision preserved one of the Federal Communications Commission’s key tools, though the companies also won a concession from the Republican administration that could shift the regulatory landscape.
The appeal from telecommunications giants Verizon and AT&T challenged a combined $100 million in penalties imposed after the agency determined that the companies had failed to safeguard customer location data.
The companies argued that the FCC’s process was unconstitutional because it gave them little opportunity to tell their side of the story in front of a jury.
The administration defended the fines as an essential regulatory tool. But the government also said companies did not have to pay the penalties right away, a regulatory shift in the companies’ favor.
The Supreme Court agreed, affirming the FCC’s power to order fines when challenges are still available.
“The orders at issue did not settle the carriers’ legal obligations because, stated simply, they did not create an obligation to pay,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority.
Other agencies use similar enforcement methods, so a sweeping victory for AT&T and Verizon could have had widespread effects, advocates said.
The environmental group Earthjustice applauded the ruling, saying it has direct implications for other agencies and a key energy-efficiency case.
“By rejecting this unsupported attack on agency authority, the Court’s decision safeguards the government’s ability to enforce laws that protect people, communities, and the environment,” said Caroline Flynn, the group’s Supreme Court counsel.
The libertarian-leaning New Civil Liberties Alliance was disappointed by the decision, but expected it to help other companies in the future. “In fact, it may even buttress their willingness to challenge future agency orders in federal court before paying any penalties,” said the alliance’s president, Mark Chenoweth.
A few more carriers may decide to litigate, but the decision leaves the FCC with the power to “publicly announce large fines with much fanfare,” said Doug Orvis, a veteran telecom attorney. “It will be interesting to see what happens going forward.”
The Supreme Court’s conservative majority has sided against federal agencies and limited their power before. That includes overturning a decades-old decision that had given regulators an advantage in court and stripping another agency of a major tool in fighting securities fraud.
LINDSAY WHITEHURST Whitehurst covers the Supreme Court and legal affairs for The Associated Press. She’s won multiple journalism awards in a career that’s spanned two decades. twitter mailto
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- When was this news published?
- June 05, 2026
- What is this news about?
- The Supreme Court has sided with the Trump administration in a case about the power of federal regulators over telecommunications companies. In an 8-1 ruling Thursday, the justices preserved one of the Federal Communications Commission’s key enforcement tools…
- Which exams cover this topic?
- UPSC, SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, Railway RRB, IBPS, SBI PO, and all State PSC exams.
- Who reported this news?
- Associated Press
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Source: Associated Press
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