President Trump Designates Chairmen and Acting Chairmen

On January 20, 2025 an executive order was issued designating several individuals to key federal positions. Below is an enumeration of each appointee, their background, and a (bri) analysis of concerns regarding their qualifications for the designated roles:

1. Brendan Carr: Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
   • Background: Brendan Carr has been a commissioner at the FCC since 2017 and is known for his critical stance on Big Tech companies. He contributed to the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025,” advocating for increased FCC involvement in social media content moderation.
   • Concerns: Critics argue that Carr’s focus on regulating online speech may infringe upon free speech rights and exceed the FCC’s traditional regulatory scope.
2. Mark Christie: Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
   • Background: Mark Christie has served as a commissioner at FERC since 2020 and was previously a member of the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
   • Concerns: Some stakeholders express concerns about his regulatory approach, suggesting it may favor traditional energy sources over renewable initiatives, potentially hindering progress in sustainable energy development.
3. Henry Kerner: Acting Chairman of the Merit Systems Protection Board
   • Background: Henry Kerner has a background in government oversight, having served as Special Counsel in the U.S. Office of Special Counsel.
   • Concerns: Critics point to his limited experience with federal employment law and the merit system, which could impact his effectiveness in overseeing federal employment disputes.
4. Andrew Ferguson: Chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
   • Background: Andrew Ferguson has a legal background with experience in corporate law.
   • Concerns: His close ties to corporate interests raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest, particularly in regulating companies he may have previously represented.
5. Marvin Kaplan: Chair of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
   • Background: Marvin Kaplan has served on the NLRB since 2017 and has a background in labor policy.
   • Concerns: Labor advocates express concerns over his decisions favoring employers, which they argue may undermine workers’ rights and protections.
6. David Wright: Chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
   • Background: David Wright has been a commissioner at the NRC since 2018 and has experience in utility regulation.
   • Concerns: Some safety advocates question his commitment to stringent nuclear safety standards, citing past decisions perceived as lenient toward industry compliance issues.
7. Mark Uyeda: Acting Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
   • Background: Mark Uyeda has served as a commissioner at the SEC since 2022 and has a background in securities law.
   • Concerns: His previous work with financial institutions raises concerns about potential leniency toward Wall Street, possibly compromising the SEC’s role in protecting investors.
8. Andrea Lucas: Acting Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
   • Background: Andrea Lucas has been a commissioner at the EEOC since 2020 and has a background in employment law.
   • Concerns: Critics highlight her prior representation of employers in discrimination cases, expressing concerns about her commitment to enforcing anti-discrimination laws.
9. Travis Hill: Acting Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
   • Background: Travis Hill has experience in banking regulation and has served in various roles within the FDIC.
   • Concerns: Some financial watchdogs question his regulatory approach, suggesting it may favor deregulation, potentially increasing risks to the financial system.
10. Kyle Hauptman: Chair of the National Credit Union Administration Board
    • Background: Kyle Hauptman has been a member of the National Credit Union Administration Board since 2020 and has a background in finance.
    • Concerns: His previous work in investment banking raises concerns about potential biases toward larger financial institutions, which could disadvantage smaller credit unions.
11. Peter Kirsanow: Chairperson of the United States Commission on Civil Rights
    • Background: Peter Kirsanow has served on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights since 2001 and is known for his conservative views on civil rights issues.
    • Concerns: Civil rights groups express concerns over his positions on affirmative action and voting rights, fearing they may undermine efforts to address systemic discrimination.
12. Steven Gilchrest: Vice Chairperson of the United States Commission on Civil Rights
    • Background: Steven Gilchrest has a background in law and has been involved in various civil rights initiatives.
    • Concerns: Some advocates question his limited experience in federal civil rights enforcement, which could impact the commission’s effectiveness.
13. Jeffrey Hall: Chair of the Farm Credit Administration Board
    • Background: Jeffrey Hall has served on the Farm Credit Administration Board since 2015 and has experience in agricultural finance.
    • Concerns: Critics point to his previous work with large agribusinesses, expressing concerns about potential biases that may disadvantage small farmers.
14. Patrick Fuchs: Chair of the Surface Transportation Board
    • Background: Patrick Fuchs has been a member of the Surface Transportation Board since 2019 and has a background in transportation policy.
    • Concerns: Some stakeholders express concerns about his regulatory approach, suggesting it may favor large transportation companies over consumer interests.
15. Louis E. Sola: Chair of the Federal Maritime Commission
    • Background: Louis E. Sola has served as a commissioner at the Federal Maritime Commission since 2019 and has experience in maritime commerce.