January 2017

Donald Trump's election has put Republicans in position to eliminate network neutrality rules and gut the Federal Communications Commission's authority to regulate broadband providers. But Trump voters need the consumer protections provided by the FCC as much or more than anyone, said Tom Wheeler, whose resignation as FCC chairman takes effect Jan 20.

In making the case for continued net neutrality rules and consumer protections, Wheeler pointed out that Trump voters in rural areas are vulnerable to the actions of major broadband providers. "The Trump administration campaigned that they are the voice of the forgotten," Wheeler said. "Well you know, the half-dozen major carriers [lobbying against FCC regulations] are hardly forgotten." The people who are forgotten are the "two-thirds of consumers in America who have one or fewer broadband choices," Wheeler said. "Where are those choices most limited? In the areas where Donald Trump got the strongest response, in rural areas, outside of major cities. If indeed this is an administration that is speaking for those that feel disenfranchised, that representation has to start with saying, 'we need to make sure you have a fast, fair, and open Internet because otherwise you will not be able to connect to the 21st century.'"

As a new administration takes the reins in Washington, we at Public Knowledge have launched a renewed effort to promote freedom of expression on affordable communications platforms for all. We urge everyone to join this fight for the fundamentals of a truly democratic society, from the right to vote to the right to use all communications tools without fear of retaliation or interference from government or dominant corporate giants. The Trump Administration may jeopardize the Federal Communications Commission's ability to make networks more open, affordable, and available to all of us, and may risk the agency’s capability to maintain consumer rights and protections on the internet.

Please join us in the ongoing fight for fairness in the digital age. Whether it is consumers' pocketbooks or their fundamental right to speak without interference and participate in our democracy, we need your support and active commitment during a time of political change. Now, more than ever before, is a time to engage and provide the energy necessary to make a fair and just society that works for all of us.

President Donald Trump’s administration Jan 20 highlighted offensive cyber actions among its first digital messages to the American people. Updates to the White House website’s issues page, posted moments after President Trump’s inauguration, included developing “defensive and offensive” capabilities at US Cyber Command and engaging in “cyber warfare” to disrupt recruiting and propaganda by the Islamic State.

The Defense Department was wary of discussing its offensive cyber capabilities during the Obama administration, acknowledging for the first time it might go on cyber offense when directed by the president in a 2015 cyber strategy update. Former Defense Secretary Ash Carter acknowledged in 2016 the military was using cyber tools to combat ISIL. Trump pledged to surge U.S. cybersecurity during his campaign and after his election, though numerous questions remain about how precisely he’ll attack the issue. Trump has signaled he may shift some domestic cyber responsibilities from the Homeland Security Department to the Defense Department, a move that would likely require the consent of Congress.