Trump grants Democrats’ request for a new FCC commissioner

Enlarge / Democrats vs. Republicans. (credit: Getty Images | Linda Braucht)

President Donald Trump has nominated Democrat Geoffrey Starks to fill the open seat on the Federal Communications Commission.

Starks, assistant chief of the FCC's Enforcement Bureau, was recommended by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. By tradition, the president appoints opposite-party commissioners based on recommendations from the opposing party, and Trump has kept up that practice. The White House confirmed Trump's nomination of Starks on Friday.

FCC Assistant Enforcement Bureau Chief Geoffrey Starks. (credit: Geoffrey Starks)

If approved by the Senate for a term ending in June 2022, Starks will replace recently departed Commissioner Mignon Clyburn. Republicans will maintain a 3-2 majority led by Chairman Ajit Pai, with Starks and Democratic Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel representing the minority party. Trump would not have been allowed to nominate a Republican because US law requires a 3-2 split when the FCC has five members.

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