As the 11am Eastern hour began, the senior Democratic Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission revealed on social media platform X that he had just informed President Trump and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer that he intends to resign “later this spring.”
With Geoffrey Starks‘ exit coming just months after former Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel departed, this puts Anna Gómez in the top chair at an agency taking a vigorously divergent path under Republican leader Brendan Carr.
In a brief statement, Starks commented, “Serving the American people as a Commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission has been the honor of my life. 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. I have learned so much from my time in this position, particularly when I have heard directly from Americans on the issues that matter to them. I have been inspired by the passion, engagement and commitment I have seen from colleagues, advocates, and industry. Over the next few weeks, I look forward to working with the Chairman and my fellow Commissioners, and all FCC staff, to further the mission of the agency.”
Chairman Carr responded by offering his “sincere thanks and appreciation” to a friend and colleague. “He has had a tremendous run in public service,” Carr acknowledged. “From senior leadership roles at the Department of Justice and in the Commission’s own Enforcement Bureau to serving as the Senior Democrat on the Federal Communications Commission, the American people have benefited greatly from Commissioner Starks’ public service.”
Carr also noted how Starks “led many of the FCC’s national security initiatives, and I welcomed the chance to work closely with him on important matters, including promoting new innovations, protecting consumers, and bringing families across the digital divide. Commissioner Starks put in the work and leaves an impressive legacy of accomplishments in public service. I always learned a lot from him and benefited from the many events we held together … I wish Geoffrey, his wife Lauren, and their children all the best. And I look forward to continuing our friendship after his public service ends.”
Also saluting Starks was Gomez, thanking him for his “dedicated service to our country and his invaluable contributions to the FCC.” She continued, “His expertise on national security issues and his deep understanding of the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau have been instrumental in advancing the agency’s mission. Throughout his remarkable career in public service, Commissioner Starks has demonstrated unwavering commitment to protecting consumers and strengthening our communications networks. I wish him the very best in his future endeavors and look forward to our continued friendship.”
SIX YEARS OF SERVICE
On Friday evening, June 1, 2018, Geoffrey Starks had been selected by President Trump as the individual he thought could best serve out the term of former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, unofficially succeeding Mignon Clyburn as a Democrat on the Commission.
The choice was one of bipartisan satisfaction. Then-Chairman Ajit Pai praised Starks, congratulating him on his forthcoming nomination to serve as a Commissioner. “He has a distinguished record of public service, including in the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau, and I wish him all the best during the confirmation process,” Pai said.
That process was a lengthy one. The Commerce Committee approved the nomination of Starks on June 20, 2018. However, a voice vote approval of Starks on the floor of the Senate didn’t arrive until January 2019, with his swearing in at the end of that month.
A block by Republican leaders in the Senate had been placed on a vote allowing Starks to fill out the remainder of Wheeler’s term ending June 30, 2022 and taking a slot meant for Clyburn. That finally ended with the start of 2019.
Starks previously served as an assistant chief in the Enforcement Bureau and has also served as senior counsel at the U.S. Justice Department. He is also known across Washington for his time as an attorney at Williams & Connolly LLP. Earlier in his career Starks served as staff to the state Democrats — at a time when former President Barack Obama was a little-known Illinois state senator.
TRUSTY POISED TO TIP THE SCALES
With the news that Starks will step down from his role as a Commissioner in the coming weeks, a slim 2-1 Republican majority at the FCC could become a 3-1 voting body once the U.S. Senate decides to move ahead with President Trump’s nomination of Olivia Trusty to serve on the Commission.
That nomination came on January 16, before the president was even sworn in for a second, non-consecutive term.
Trusty, who six years ago was named Policy Director over the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, and the Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protection by Roger Wicker, “has fought tirelessly to grow the economy, empower innovation and reignite the American Dream.” Trump noted that Trusty will work alongside Chairman-to-be Brendan Carr “to cut regulations at a record pace.”
Prior to January 2019, Trusty handled telecommunications and technology issues for Sen. Wicker. Before that, she worked on the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee and served as Legislative Assistant to Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio).
