Policymakers

Elon Musk appears to be laying the groundwork to privatize some space and satellite operations now under the authority of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or steer lucrative contracts toward his SpaceX and Starlink companies, former NOAA employees say. They’re sounding the alarm as at least four other federal agencies have reportedly begun pushing new contracts toward Musk’s Starlink satellite internet company. Musk, the world’s richest man, has been tasked by President Donald Trump with drastically slashing the federal government workforce and costs.

The layoffs of staff serving in the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology are a profound loss for the nation’s education system. For over 30 years, OET provided essential leadership in shaping ed-tech policy, guiding practice and fostering innovation.

Ever since Donald Trump bumped Brendan Carr up to chair of the Federal Communications Commission in November 2024 (after naming him a commissioner during his first term), Chairman Carr has attacked the country’s media, entertainment and even tech giants with a cool fury, threatening their business and, critics say, attempting to bully them into more favorable coverage of the President. Historically concerned with the sundry matters of broadcast licenses and station fines, the FCC hardly would seem like the centerpiece of a major media-suppression effort.

Elon Musk’s Starlink is set to cement its dominance of the satellite internet market with a surge in revenues in 2025, but the world’s richest man’s ties to President Donald Trump are shifting from an asset to a hindrance in Starlink's global rollout. The billionaire’s SpaceX group is engaged in talks to rapidly bring the service to countries with 1 billion potential new users, including holding negotiations with Turkey, Morocco and Bangladesh, while making progress towards regulatory approval in other vast markets such as India.

The Federal Communications Commission is prepared to block mergers and acquisition proposals from companies that promote “invidious” diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, according to chairman Brendan Carr. The move could threaten billions of dollars worth of deals in the communications sector, with Carr specifically mentioning Paramount Global’s merger with Skydanc

The Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is delegated the authority to make final suitability determinations and take suitability actions regarding employees in the executive branch based on post-appointment conduct, consistent with applicable law.

Federal Communications Commissioner Nathan Simington announces two departures from his office. Adam Cassady, Commissioner Simington’s Chief of Staff, departed the agency and began a new role as (Acting) Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and National Telecommunications and Information Administration Administrator. Carlos Minnix, Commissioner Simington’s Staff Assistant, has also left the office and has assumed a similar role in Chairman Carr’s office.

With Democratic Federal Communications Commissioner Geoffrey Starks announcing his plans to leave the agency this spring, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is that much closer to having a Republican majority on board. How much he needs that majority is another question.

Adam Cassady was appointed by President Trump on March 17, 2025, as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Deputy Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. In this capacity, he provides advice and assistance to the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information in the formulation, development, and implementation of telecommunications and information policies of the Executive Branch. Until an Assistant Secretary is sworn in, Mr.

Commissioner Geoffrey Starks will resign from the Federal Communications Commission this spring.