FCC’s Last Democrat: Why Hasn’t Trump Fired Her Yet?
▼ Summary
– FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez checks her email daily, uncertain if she’ll be fired, referencing Trump’s past dismissals of FTC commissioners without cause.
– The FCC lacks a quorum after recent departures, and Gomez doubts Trump will nominate a Democrat, noting he hasn’t appointed any in his administration.
– Despite public critiques of FCC actions, Gomez maintains a “good working relationship” with Republican Commissioner Brendan Carr.
– Gomez warns against bureau-level decisions on major issues like Verizon’s Frontier acquisition, advocating for quorum-based votes to ensure court-reviewable outcomes.
– Gomez emphasizes bipartisan support for protecting democracy and the First Amendment, urging resistance against normalizing undue political interference.
Federal Communications Commissioner Anna Gomez starts each day with an uneasy ritual—checking her inbox for a termination notice that could arrive at any moment. Her caution isn’t misplaced. Two Democratic commissioners at the Federal Trade Commission were abruptly dismissed via email, despite Supreme Court rulings that such firings without cause violate long-standing precedent.
With the recent departures of Democrat Geoffrey Starks and Republican Nathan Simington, the FCC now lacks the quorum needed to vote on major decisions. The five-member panel is legally required to maintain a partisan balance, with no more than three members from the same party. While President Trump has one Republican nominee pending confirmation and may name another, Gomez remains skeptical about seeing a Democratic replacement. “I haven’t seen him appoint a single Democrat across the entire administration,” she remarked during a conversation after a Consumer Technology Association event in Washington. “All I’ve witnessed are dismissals.”
Despite publicly criticizing FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s policies, Gomez insists their working relationship remains professional. “We understand each other’s roles,” she says. “He knows I’ll voice my concerns, and we communicate openly.” When asked why Trump hasn’t moved to oust her, she simply replies, “No idea.”
The absence of a quorum could stall critical FCC decisions until a third commissioner is confirmed. While agency bureaus can handle routine matters under delegated authority, Gomez argues that significant rulings—like mergers or policy shifts—should wait for full commission votes. These decisions carry legal weight, unlike bureau-level actions, which aren’t subject to judicial review. She’s already criticized Verizon’s $20 billion Frontier acquisition, calling it a “backroom deal,” and warns against similar handling of Paramount’s Skydance merger.
At the CTA event, Gomez addressed concerns about potential conflicts of interest involving Elon Musk’s companies, such as SpaceX and its Starlink satellite network, which could benefit from FCC policies. Musk’s past ties to Trump and his involvement with cryptocurrency raised questions about insider access. “Our general counsel would rigorously evaluate these situations,” Gomez noted. “As a commissioner, I don’t oversee day-to-day operations, but our chairman—a former FCC counsel—understands the ethical boundaries.”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding her role, Gomez finds encouragement in bipartisan support during her advocacy for free speech and government accountability. “This isn’t about party lines,” she emphasizes. “It’s about upholding democratic principles and the First Amendment. Staying silent isn’t an option—we can’t let this become normal.”
(Source: The Verge)
