President Donald Trump on Friday nominated senior FCC lawyer Danielle Thumann Severs to one of two open seats on the five-member Federal Communications Commission as he presses the agency to revoke broadcasters’ licenses.The White House said Trump is tapping Thumann, who serves as senior counsel to FCC Chair Brendan Carr and goes by Thumann professionally, for the post.
Carr praised the nomination in an interview Friday, calling Thumann “a total pro” who has led key parts of the FCC’s economic agenda, including cracking down on robocalls, combating fraud, bridging the digital divide, and advancing public safety.
Last month, he called on the agency to revoke the licenses of Comcast-owned NBC and Walt Disney-owned ABC for not airing his remarks on election security.
The FCC currently has two Republicans and one Democrat, Commissioner Anna Gomez. The commission is historically structured 3-2 in favor of the president’s party. The law requires three members for a quorum; if Thumann is confirmed, it could allow Trump to fire Gomez.
Trump has already fired two Democrats on the Federal Trade Commission and dismissed numerous other Democratic officials.