In a move that jolted the communications regulatory world midweek, FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington, one of the only two Republican voices on the five-member panel, announced Wednesday he will step down at the end of this week, abruptly altering the balance of power at the Federal Communications Commission.
His departure—quiet, sudden, and lacking a direct explanation—comes amid broader upheaval at the FCC, where multiple vacancies loom and partisanship simmers just beneath the surface. Simington, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump and confirmed in December 2020, issued a statement filled with gratitude but silent on the reason behind his exit.
“It has been the greatest honor of my professional life to serve the American people as a commissioner,” Simington said in a farewell note. “As I turn the page on this chapter, I do so with immense gratitude… and look forward to contributing to the vital conversations surrounding our communications infrastructure, national security, and technological leadership.”
