FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks Announces Resignation, Potentially Shifting Partisan Balance

Starks’ departure this spring could temporarily give Republicans a 2-1 majority on the FCC as Senate confirmation delays persist.

Geoffrey Starks, a Democratic FCC Commissioner since 2019, has announced he will step down this spring, cutting short his term set to expire in 2027.
The FCC, currently split 2-2 between Republicans and Democrats, will face two vacancies following Starks’ resignation.
Republican nominee Olivia Trusty has yet to be confirmed by the Senate, leaving uncertainty about the FCC's future composition.
If Starks departs before Trusty’s confirmation, Republicans could gain a temporary 2-1 majority, allowing Chair Brendan Carr to advance partisan policies.
Carr has previously pursued controversial investigations into public broadcasters PBS and NPR, raising concerns about potential policy shifts under a Republican-led FCC.