President Donald Trump on Friday nominated Danielle Thumann, who currently serves as senior counsel to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, to serve as a commissioner on the agency. If she’s confirmed, it would give Republicans a 3-1 advantage at the FCC (with one remaining seat still unfilled).
Trump submitted Thumann for a term of five years from July 1, 2024. The current commissioners include two Republicans — Carr and Olivia Trusty — and one Democrat, Anna Gomez.
“Congratulations to Danielle on her nomination by President Trump to serve as a Commissioner on the FCC,” Carr wrote in a social media post Friday. “Danielle is a dedicated public servant and has consistently delivered policy wins from bridging the digital divide and protecting consumers to advancing public safety.”
The FCC has several controversial proceedings before it. That includes its vote this week to eliminate the agency’s 39% national TV ownership cap, which fell down party lines, in a move that is expected to face legal challenges.
The FCC also has called for the early review of broadcast licenses for ABC’s eight owned-and-operated local TV stations. The agency has said that’s related to holding Disney/ABC accountable to a “public interest” standard and pursuant to an FCC probe into the media company’s DEI practices. ABC and other critics — including former FCC chairs — have blasted the move as intended to intimidate broadcasters whose news coverage Trump does not like. The FCC also is looking into whether “The View” qualifies for an exemption to its equal-time rule for political candidates.
