Perhaps deciding to end his tenure on his own terms, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai has announced plans to leave the Commission January 20, 2021. President-Elect Joe Biden, who would appear unlikely to want Pai to remain in his current role, is scheduled to be inaugurated as U.S. President on that day.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve at the Federal Communications Commission, including as Chairman of the FCC over the past four years. I am grateful to President Trump for giving me the opportunity to lead the agency in 2017, to President Obama for appointing me as a Commissioner in 2012, and to Senate Majority Leader McConnell and the Senate for twice confirming me. To be the first Asian-American to chair the FCC has been a particular privilege. As I often say: only in America.
“I also deeply appreciate the chance to have worked alongside the FCC’s talented staff. They are the agency’s best assets, and they have performed heroically, especially during the pandemic. It’s also been an honor to work with my fellow Commissioners to execute a strong and broad agenda. Together, we’ve delivered for the American people over the past four years: closing the digital divide; promoting innovation and competition, from 5G on the ground to broadband from space; protecting consumers; and advancing public safety. And this FCC has not shied away from making tough choices. As a result, our nation’s communications networks are now faster, stronger, and more widely deployed than ever before.”
In addition to the actions he listed, Pai’s administration of the FCC also included the scuttling of Net Neutrality regulations put in place by his predecessor during the Obama Administration (see “FCC begins Title II Net Neutrality rollback process”). The possibility of President-Elect Biden resurrecting those policies is a matter of ongoing speculation. Pai also has taken a lead role in arguing that the presence of equipment from Chinese companies such as Huawei and ZTE in U.S. communications networks poses unacceptable security risks (see, for example, "FCC's Pai proposes ban on USF use on 'national security threats'").
“While we did not always agree on policy matters, I always valued our shared commitment to public service,” said Democratic Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, whom some have marked as Pai’s successor. “Serving the American people is a tremendous honor and I wish him the best in the future.
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