Departure Deepens FCC Imbalance
Simington’s exit leaves just two commissioners in place: FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who was elevated to the top post in January, and Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez, appointed by President Joe Biden. This is far short of the commission’s full five-member composition, raising serious concerns about future regulatory decision-making, potential deadlock, and the capacity to enforce federal communications policy effectively.
Meanwhile, Democratic Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, who previously announced he would leave in the spring, confirmed last month that he had attended his final commission meeting. When his resignation becomes official, the FCC will be down to two active members—a scenario rarely seen in modern agency history.
Unconfirmed Successors and Political Chess
Though Trump has nominated Olivia Trusty, a Senate Republican staffer, to fill one of the vacant Republican seats, she has yet to be confirmed by the Senate. This delay, along with the dual exits of Simington and Starks, means no clear majority will govern the FCC, potentially slowing decisions on pivotal issues like broadband expansion, media ownership, 5G rollout, and net neutrality.
This precarious situation sets the stage for regulatory paralysis or unexpected bipartisan compromises, depending on how swiftly new commissioners are confirmed—and how aggressively the remaining duo navigates their interim authority.
Simington’s relatively brief tenure was marked by sharp attention to national security in telecom, spectrum policy, and the role of the FCC in shaping emerging tech landscapes. His exit closes a chapter forged in a divided political climate, leaving open questions about the commission’s future direction as technology races ahead of regulation.
