Trump nominated Republican Danielle Thumann Severs as an FCC commissioner, creating a 3-1 Republican majority and breaking the historical norm of maintaining a 3-2 partisan balance on the commission. Trump has left one Democratic seat vacant throughout his second term, even as the FCC has been central to his administration's pressure campaigns against news broadcasters.
Background
The FCC regulates interstate and international communications in the US. Historically, presidents have nominally balanced party representation on the five-member commission as a norm, though it is not legally required. The Trump administration has used the FCC to pressure broadcasters critical of his policies.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Aug 11, 2026 at 11:28 PM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10