WASHINGTON, D.C.—President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Olivia Trusty to serve on the Federal Communications Commission.
If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Trusty would give the Republicans a 3-2 majority.
Trump announced the nomination in a post on his Truth Social platform: “I am pleased to announce that Olivia Trusty will serve as a Commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Olivia is currently the Policy Director on the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, where she has fought tirelessly to grow the Economy, empower Innovation, and reignite the American Dream. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Georgetown University. Olivia will work with our incredible new Chairman of the FCC, Brendan Carr, to cut regulations at a record pace, protect Free Speech, and ensure every American has access to affordable and fast Internet.”
Commissioner Brendan Carr, who is set to become chairman, said in a statement, “Olivia has had a distinguished career already on Capitol Hill and in the private sector, including her service at both the Commerce Committee and the Armed Services Committee in the United States Senate.”
Accordiong to published reports, Trusty has served as a staffer to Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) since 2019. Prior to joining Wicker’s office, Trusty worked on the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee.
Prior to that, she was a legislative assistant to Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio). Before coming to the Hill, Trusty spent time at Verizon Communications and Qwest Communications as a senior policy adviser. Trusty has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master’s degree in American government from Georgetown University.
Current FCC chair Jessica Rosenworcel has said she would resign on Jan. 20, the day Trump is inaugurated. Trusty will have to be confirmed by the Senate. Until that happens, incoming FCC chair Brendan Carr will lead a divided FCC with two Democrats and two Republicans.
In response to the announcement, NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt issued a statement saying: "NAB congratulates Olivia Trusty on her well-deserved nomination. As a senior staffer on the Armed Services and Commerce committees in both the Senate and House, Olivia has been heavily involved in every legislative debate impacting the broadcast industry for the past decade. In that capacity we have seen firsthand a work ethic, issue expertise and strategic acumen that will greatly benefit the FCC. Further, she is intimately familiar with the vital role local television and radio stations play in communities nationwide and the significant regulatory obstacles our industry faces. Her deep understanding of these issues will be instrumental in fostering policies that enable broadcasters to innovate and better serve our communities.”
Democratic FCC commissioners Anna M. Gomez and Geoffrey Starks also issued congratulatory statements.
Gomez said: “Congratulations to Olivia Trusty on the President-Elect’s announcement of his intent to nominate her as Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission. She is widely respected, a consummate professional, and has a strong background on communications policy. I welcome the opportunity to work with her.”
Starks said: “Congratulations to Olivia Trusty on her nomination today. She is a committed public servant with extensive knowledge of the communications sector. As clearly exhibited by her work in the Senate, she is an effective policy-maker, which will benefit the agency and the American people going forward.”
