Commissioner Starks to Step Down

On March 18, 2025, FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks announced that he intended to resign his seat in the spring of 2025, before his term officially ends in July 2027.  Starks’ resignation announcement prompted applause for his service to the nation by Chairman Carr and Commissioner Gomez.

While a specific date for Starks’ resignation has not been announced, it appears clear that we are only a few weeks away from a 2-1 Republican majority, which might result in speedy decisions on matters that are unable to move now because of the 2-2 Commissioner deadlock.

Olivia Trusty’s nomination to serve as a Commissioner has not moved forward in the Senate, and it could be that Stark’s resignation announcement will prompt the pairing of a Democratic replacement nominee with Trusty’s nomination. For unknown reasons, Trusty’s nomination has not been set for hearing though it was received in the Senate on February 11^th.  Among the many possible scenarios for getting Trusty’s nomination approved, it could be that President Trump does not intend to advance a Democratic nominee at this time.