President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday said he intends to nominate Olivia Trusty to fill an upcoming vacancy at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Trusty will be nominated to the role of commissioner at the FCC, Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
“Olivia is currently the policy director on the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, where she has fought tirelessly to grow the economy, empower innovation and reignite the American Dream,” Trump wrote. “She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Georgetown University. Olivia will work with our incredible new chairman of the FCC, Brendan Carr, to cut regulations at a record pace, protect free speech and ensure every American has access to affordable and fast internet.”
Trusty is a long-time employee in the office of Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi; Wicker endorsed Trusty to serve as an FCC commissioner last November, shortly after Trump affirmed his intention to nominate current FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr to serve as the agency’s chairman following the inauguration.
Carr’s promotion and the departure of current FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel will create a vacancy at the FCC from next week onward. Trusty’s appointment will require confirmation by the U.S. Senate. She is not expected to face much opposition, given that the Republican Party holds a three-seat majority in the Senate.
Once appointed, the FCC will consist of three commissioners who were initially nominated by Republican presidents and two who were nominated by Democrats. The FCC consists of five commissioners who serve for five year terms; by law, only three commissioners can be from the same political party at any given time.
In a statement, Carr noted Trusty’s “distinguished career on Capitol Hill and in the private sector” and said her “extensive knowledge, public sector experience and keen intellect will serve her well at the agency.”
Grant Spellmeyer, the CEO of ACA Connects, an industry group that represents small- and medium-sized telecoms, signaled his support for Trump’s nominee.
“Congratulations to Olivia on this prestigious nomination,” Spellmeyer said in a statement emailed to The Desk. “I’ve followed Olivia’s work for more than a decade, dating back to her time with Congressman Bob Latta. Her record of accomplishment at Senate Commerce and Senate Armed Services speaks for itself. ACA Connects and all our Members look forward to working with her and Chairman Brendan Carr to cut red tape, promote innovation in rural communities, and further empower America’s small and independent broadband providers to close the digital divide.”
Tom Reid, the Chief Legal Officer at Comcast, also praised Trusty in a statement on Thursday.
“Olivia Trusty’s extensive knowledge of communications policy makes her an exceptional choice as FCC Commissioner,” Reid said. “We look forward to working with her and with the full FCC to address the nation’s crucial communication needs including broadband investment and deregulation. We applaud President-elect Trump on this strong choice.”
