Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai said on Wednesday he stands by the decision to refer Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc.¡¯s $3.9 billion proposed acquisition of Tribune Media Co. for review by an administrative law judge despite critical comments from U.S. President Donald Trump.

¡°I stand by our decision,¡± Pai told a U.S. House panel.

Trump said in a tweet on Tuesday that it was ¡°disgraceful¡± that the FCC ¡°wouldn¡¯t approve the Sinclair Broadcast merger with Tribune. This would have been a great and much needed Conservative voice for and of the People.¡±

Pai said he did not make decisions based on ideology of applicants, but looked at the facts.