Senate: Oppose Nomination of Olivia Trusty as FCC Commissioner

Today I take pen in hand to write and urge you to oppose the nomination of Olivia Trusty as an FCC Commissioner. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plays a critical role in ensuring universal connectivity, promoting diverse voices in media, and protecting consumers, but its impartiality is threatened by the Trump Administration. Its ability to effectively carry out these vital functions depends on maintaining a full slate of five commissioners, with no more than three from the same party, as mandated by Congress. The abrupt firing of Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Slaughter from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by President Trump raises grave concerns about the administration undermining the independence of regulatory bodies. We urge you to oppose the confirmation of Olivia Trusty as FCC commissioner until there is written assurance from the administration that the current FCC will remain fully staffed with five commissioners, including the current Democratic Commissioner Gomez AND a replacement for the outgoing Commissioner Starks, for the duration of the administration. Trusty's nomination would normally be paired with a nominee recommended by the Minority Leader through the regular process. But there’s been nothing regular about the vengeful Trump Administration’s deliberate firings of anyone that disagrees with him, legal or not. Independent agencies like the FCC must exercise independent judgment based on their statutory mandates, They weren’t designed to serve as extensions of presidential will. Senate confirmation becomes meaningless if confirmed officials can be summarily dismissed without cause, raising serious questions about the effectiveness and purpose of the confirmation process itself. Any attempt to illegally remove Commissioner Gomez, especially with Commissioner Starks' impending departure, would damage the FCC's independence and undermine its statutory mission at a critical time when regulatory oversight of communications infrastructure is essential. I urge you to press the Senate leaders to you ensure Commissioner Starks is replaced and Commissioner Gomez remains at the FCC to uphold the agency's independence and ability to safeguard the public interest effectively. Until them, use all means to block and halt the nomination process for Olivia Trusty as an FCC Commissioner.