FCC Chairman Cancels CES Appearance over Death Threats

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai has canceled his scheduled appearance at the Consumer Electronics Show, reportedly due to death threats.

Recode reports that FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has canceled an appearance set for this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) due to threats against his life. This isn’t the first time that Pai has received direct threats; past threats occurred during the FCC’s vote on net neutrality in December of 2017 when a bomb threat was called in which resulted in the evacuation of the building. Pai has also been harassed by protesters at his home, who held signs directed at his children. “They will come to know the truth. Dad murdered democracy in cold blood,” stated one sign. “Families … should remain out of it and stop harassing us at our homes,” said Pai on Fox & Friends.

The nature of the current threats against Pai have not yet been made public with a spokesman for the FCC and Pai simply stating, “We do not comment on security measures or concerns.” But according to Recode’s sources, federal law enforcement has stepped in on the matter and are expected to brief other FCC offices about the threats.

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