Gomez 'Not Worried' About Trump Potentially Ousting Her From FCC
Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez said Monday she's “not worried” about the possibility that President Donald Trump may fire her amid concerns it could happen if the Senate confirms Republican commission nominee Olivia Trusty. Senate approval of Trusty would give Republicans an outright majority at the FCC. As such, the commission would have a mandated three-member quorum without Gomez and fellow Democratic Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, who plans to retire this spring (see 2503180067). The Senate Commerce Committee is set to vote Wednesday on advancing Trusty to the full chamber (see 2504230051).
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“This job is an honor, and I take the responsibility quite seriously,” Gomez said during a news conference after the FCC’s meeting (see 2504280038). “Removing minority members of independent commissioners is another example of [the Trump administration’s] censorship and control.” Trump “unlawfully removing me from office would disregard the will of Congress because I was confirmed by a bipartisan” Senate majority in 2023 (see 2309070081), Gomez said. “It would violate the spirit of the law that governs this independent agency.” Democratic FCC stakeholders began worrying about Gomez’s fate after Trump’s unprecedented March firings of Democratic FTC Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter (see 2503190057).
Gomez said she's “going to continue to stand firm in my beliefs, and I'm going to continue to speak up in defense of the First Amendment and on behalf of consumers.” She referenced a “1st Amendment Tour” she began last week to highlight the FCC’s actions against public media, broadcasters’ editorial decisions and industry diversity programs since Chairman Brendan Carr took control of the agency Jan. 20 (see 2504240064).