FCC Chair Brendan Carr has sharply criticized former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's claims of Trump-era incompetence jeopardizing Americans, citing the Biden administration's failure to utilize a substantial multi-billion dollar broadband internet initiative. Carr pointed out that despite receiving $42 billion to connect millions of Americans, the administration failed to connect a single person or initiate any tangible progress after 1,163 days.

Carr's remarks were in response to Buttigieg's criticism of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has become a frequent target of Democrats due to its efforts to address government fraud and overspending alongside Elon Musk. Buttigieg had expressed concerns about DOGE's access to sensitive information, citing accusations of publishing classified data, which the White House has denied.

The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocated $42.5 billion for a program to expand internet access to underserved and rural areas. However, a Washington Policy Center report revealed that four years later, no connections have been made through this program. Despite states submitting plans in 2023, and President Biden comparing the initiative to Roosevelt's Rural Electrification Act, no tangible results have been achieved.

Carr has consistently criticized the program's lack of progress, both before and after President Trump's election and his subsequent appointment of Carr as FCC Chair. He has highlighted the administration's bureaucratic hurdles as a key reason for the delays, arguing that the additional processes imposed have hindered states from utilizing the funds effectively. While acknowledging some high-speed internet projects under the Biden administration, Carr emphasized that none were funded by the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program.