FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel to Step Down as Trump's Leadership Change Looms
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has announced her departure effective January 20, 2025, coinciding with President-elect Trump's assumption of office.
FCC Chair Rosenworcel at podium
Photo Credit: Internet Education Foundation / CC by 2.0
The transition comes as Trump has selected Brendan Carr to lead the FCC, setting up a potential 3-2 GOP majority at the agency. Rosenworcel, who made history as the first woman confirmed to lead the FCC, was originally nominated as Commissioner by President Obama in 2012 before being elevated to Chair by President Biden in 2021.
In her departure announcement, Rosenworcel reflected on her tenure: "Serving at the Federal Communications Commission has been the honor of a lifetime, especially my tenure as Chair and as the first woman in history to be confirmed to lead this agency."
Brendan Carr, Trump's pick for FCC Chairman, has outlined an aggressive agenda focused on:
- Dismantling what he terms the "censorship cartel"
- Restoring free speech rights
- Reining in Big Tech
- Promoting national security
- Unleashing economic prosperity
- Ensuring FCC accountability
Carr's previous positions include:
- Supporting the rollback of net neutrality rules
- Advocating for Section 230 reform of the Communications Decency Act
- Calling for a TikTok ban in the United States
As the author of the FCC chapter in Project 2025, Carr has promised increased scrutiny of broadcast TV and radio stations, signaling a significant shift in regulatory approach under the incoming administration.
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