FCC Faces Partisan Shift as Trump Appointee Joins Amid Controversy

Since President Trump took office, the FCC has been deadlocked, first at 2-2 and later at 1-1 following the exits of Democrat Geoffrey Starks and Republican Nathan Simington. 

The confirmation of Olivia Trusty as a new commissioner gives Republicans a majority, enabling them to advance Trump’s deregulation agenda, including broadcasters’ calls to loosen what they consider outdated ownership rules.

Under Chairman Brendan Carr, appointed by Trump, the FCC has launched probes into major media companies’ diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and revived a complaint against CBS for editing a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris. Other broadcast networks face similar grievances, while the Skydance-Paramount merger awaits FCC approval.

During her confirmation hearing, Trusty faced questions about Trump’s threats to revoke broadcasters’ licenses over unfavorable coverage. She defended the president’s First Amendment rights to express his views but emphasized her duty to focus on facts, FCC precedent, and the law. When asked by Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) about considering broadcasters’ editorial decisions in merger reviews, Trusty said she would evaluate transactions based on the public interest, guided by thorough, fact-specific reviews and statutory requirements.

Democrats largely opposed Trusty’s nomination due to Trump’s failure to nominate a Democrat to fill the vacant FCC seat, as the president’s party cannot hold more than three of the five commission seats.

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), initially supportive, raised concerns about Trump’s “alarming record” of attempting to oust Democrats from independent commissions, citing his removal of two Democrats from the Federal Trade Commission. Cantwell expressed worry that Trump might fire the remaining FCC Democrat, Anna Gomez, and operate the commission on a strictly partisan basis. Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter have sued Trump, arguing their removal from an independent agency without cause exceeds his authority. Trump has also targeted Democrats and dissenting voices at agencies like the Kennedy Center, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, National Labor Relations Board, and Holocaust Memorial.

Trusty’s nomination was confirmed Tuesday, June 17, by a 53-45 vote, mostly along party lines.

Chairman Carr praised Trusty, stating, “Olivia’s extensive experience on Capitol Hill and in the private sector equips her to be an exceptionally effective FCC Commissioner.”