Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has announced that she will be stepping down from the FCC effective January 20, 2025. Following agency tradition, Rosenworcel will resign to allow President-Elect Trump to appoint a third Republican Commissioner. Trump has already announced that Commissioner Brendan Carr will serve as FCC Chairman beginning January 20, 2025.
Rosenworcel began leading the FCC in 2021 after former Chairman Ajit Pai stepped down at the end of Trump’s first term and served as the first woman to Chair the FCC.
There have been a handful of names that have been reported to be potential candidates to fill the open seat at the FCC, including Acting NTIA Administrator Diane Rinaldo; former FCC General Counsel Tom Johnson; FCC Office of Economics and Analytics Chief Giulia McHenry; former FCC Chief Economist Michelle Connolloy; Commissioner Nathan Simington Chief of Staff Erin Boone; Samsung Senior Director, Government Relations Kelsey Guyselman Conradi; telecom policy director for Senator Ted Cruz, Arielle Roth; and Senate Armed Services Committee staffer, Olivia Trusty. Abigail Slater, who has been working in J.D. Vance’s office, served in the Trump White House during his first term and is currently on Trump’s transition team.
