FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai has been selected by President Donald Trump as FCC’s 34th Chairman.
“I am deeply grateful to the President of the United States,” said Pai in a statement posted to his Twitter account. “I look forward to working with the new Administration, my colleagues at the Commission, members of Congress, and the American public to bring the benefits of the digital age to all Americans.”
Pai served as one of two Republican Commissioners under former Chairman Tom Wheeler. With Trump, a Republican, holding the presidency, the balance of power will shift in the FCC from three Democrats and two Republicans to two Democrats and three Republicans with Pai at the helm.
Pai was a vocal opponent of many of Wheeler’s policies, including net neutrality. Pai has promised to undo much of the work Wheeler did to put today’s net neutrality regulations in place.
Remaining Commissioners Michael O’Rielly and Mignon Clyburn offered their congratulations. Replacements for former Chairman Tom Wheeler and outgoing Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel have yet to be named.
