Geoffrey Starks, a commissioner with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) who was appointed to the role during President Donald Trump’s first term in office, has affirmed his intention to resign from the agency.
In a statement distributed to reporters on Tuesday, Starks said he informed President Trump and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of his intention to step down from the agency in the spring. He did not offer a definitive date, nor was there any reason for his decision to leave.
“Serving the American people as a Commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission has been the honor of my life,” Starks wrote. “With my extraordinary fellow Commissioners and the incredible career staff at the agency, we have worked hard to connect all Americans, promote innovation, protect consumers, and ensure national security.”
While Starks was appointed by Trump in 2019, he is a registered Democrat, and helped ensure the FCC fulfilled its obligation of having a mixture of commissioners that represent diverse political affiliations. Under the law, the FCC is required to have no more than three of its five commissioners affiliated with a political party.
The announcement of Starks’ departure comes two months after former FCC Chairperson Jessica Rosenworcel also left the agency. Trump nominated Olivia Trusty, a Republican, to fill Rosenworcel’s vacancy, and will be tasked with making a further nomination to replace Starks when he leaves.
Trump is not required to nominate a Democrat to fill the vacancy left by Starks upon his departure, but he is not allowed to appoint another Republican if Trusty’s nomination is confirmed by Congress. However, he can fill the vacant seat with someone who is a registered Independent or with a third party; depending on their views, it could hand the Republican Party a de facto super-majority at the FCC, clearing the way for Trump and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to execute on a number of initiatives favorable to them.
