FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel Announces Intention To Depart

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has announced her departure as Trump prepares to take office, marking the end of a historic tenure and setting the stage for a shift in telecommunications policy.

At a Glance

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel will step down on January 20, 2025.
Trump has nominated Brendan Carr as the new FCC chairman.
Rosenworcel’s departure allows for a 3-2 Republican majority at FCC.
Rosenworcel was the first woman confirmed to lead the FCC.
Significant achievements include connecting millions to broadband and launching the Space Bureau.

End of an Era: Rosenworcel’s Tenure and Accomplishments

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has announced her intention to leave the agency on January 20, 2025, coinciding with President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. Rosenworcel, who made history as the first woman confirmed to lead the FCC, was initially nominated as a commissioner by President Obama in 2012 and later elevated to chair under President Biden in 2021.

During her tenure, Rosenworcel spearheaded significant initiatives that expanded access to telecommunications services across the United States. Her leadership saw the connection of over 23 million households to broadband and provided more than 17 million students with access to WiFi hotspots and devices. These efforts proved crucial, especially during the height of the 2020 health emergency when digital connectivity became essential for education, work, and daily life.

Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said she will step down from the agency that oversees US telecommunications companies on Jan. 20 when Donald Trump assumes the presidency https://t.co/Up1Q5Gr40E

— Reuters (@Reuters) November 21, 2024

A Legacy of Innovation and Inclusion

Rosenworcel’s impact on the FCC extended beyond connectivity initiatives. She launched the agency’s first-ever Space Bureau. Additionally, under her leadership, the FCC took steps to reinstate net neutrality rules, though these are currently stayed by an appellate court due to legal challenges from industry groups.

“Serving at the Federal Communications Commission has been the honor of a lifetime, especially my tenure as Chair and as the first woman in history to be confirmed to lead this agency,” Rosenworcel said when announcing her departure.

Transition of Power and Policy Shift

President-elect Trump has selected Brendan Carr, a senior Republican commissioner at the FCC, to succeed Rosenworcel as chairman. Carr, who was first nominated to the FCC by Trump in 2017, has been praised by the incoming president as a “warrior for Free Speech.” This change in leadership is expected to bring about a shift in the FCC’s approach, particularly regarding media and tech companies’ handling of conservative viewpoints.

Rosenworcel’s departure will allow Trump to appoint a new FCC commissioner, creating a 3-2 Republican majority at the agency. This change in the commission’s composition is likely to lead to significant policy shifts in areas such as net neutrality, media ownership rules, and telecommunications industry regulation.

Looking Ahead: Rosenworcel’s Future and FCC’s Direction

As Rosenworcel prepares to step down, she has expressed gratitude for her time at the FCC and looks forward to spending more time with her family. Her departure marks the end of a significant chapter in the agency’s history and sets the stage for a new era in telecommunications policy under the incoming administration.

As the FCC prepares for this transition, industry observers and policymakers will be closely watching how the change in leadership and political balance affects the agency’s priorities and decisions in the rapidly evolving world of telecommunications and digital technology.