Trump nominates FCC senior counsel Danielle Thumann, tipping board to a Republican majority

President Donald Trump announced the nomination of Danielle Thumann, who presently serves as senior counsel to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, to fill a commissioner seat for a five-year term starting July 1, 2024. Confirmation would give Republicans a 3-1 edge on the five-member commission, which currently comprises Carr, Olivia Trusty and Democrat Anna Gomez. Carr lauded Thumann’s public-service record, citing her work on bridging the digital divide, consumer safeguards and public-safety policies.

The FCC is amid contentious actions, including a party-line vote to drop the 39% national TV ownership cap and an early review of one outlet’s eight owned-and-operated stations tied to a DEI investigation. Thumann’s background includes stints at Crown Castle, the law firm Wilkinson Barker Knauer, and earlier service in Carr’s office from March 2021 to July 2023. The industry group NCTA praised her expertise in communications law and policy. Her confirmation could shape upcoming regulatory decisions affecting broadband, broadcast licensing and media ownership.