Anna M. Gomez is a Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission and a Democrat, sworn in in September 2023. She was Deputy Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration from 2009 to 2013 and led U.S. preparations for the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference at the State Department. She also spent 12 years in positions at the FCC, including Deputy Chief of the International Bureau, and served as counsel to the Senate Commerce Committee.
Case
The White House calls its Trump-featuring television spots public service announcements and paid for them with taxpayer money. Critics in both parties object, and on October 5 Trump said he would pay with his own and MAGA Inc. money.
Case
Disney says the FCC is using eight local station licenses to punish ABC's programming. The agency says it is investigating employment practices under its licensing authority.
Role at the time: FCC commissioner expressing her own position
Statement summary
Gomez calls the license threat disproportionate and says the First Amendment should prevail.
“Threatening license revocation is an extreme step, basically a death sentence over a speeding ticket.”
She directly condemns the agency's pressure on ABC; her commissioner role does not imply support for the agency's litigation position.
Role at the time: Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, in a statement to NBC News
Statement summary
In a statement NBC News published on September 30, 2026, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez said she recognizes the concern shared by others that taxpayer dollars are being used to promote a political message, particularly given the timing of the ads so close to an election. She said it is not surprising to see the FCC exercise a double standard in its investigative decisions and that she is certain we will hear more about this from members of Congress, who she said are ultimately responsible.
“I recognize the concern shared by others that taxpayer dollars are being used to promote a political message, particularly given the timing of these ads coming so close to an election. While it is not surprising to see the FCC exercise a double standard when it comes to its investigative decisions, I am certain we will hear more about this from folks in Congress, who are ultimately responsible.”
The conduct under scrutiny is federal payment for Trump-promoting ads. Gomez says she recognizes the concern that taxpayer dollars are being used to promote a political message, particularly given the timing before an election, and says the FCC applies a double standard in its investigative decisions. Reuters separately reported that she criticized the ads. She does not state a separate evaluation of public payment. The closest competing label is Mixed or conditional; it does not fit because she states no condition and nothing in her statement supports the spending.
Statement dates: September 30, 2026
Statement dates: October 6, 2026
Statement dates: September 30, 2026
Statement dates: September 30, 2026 to October 6, 2026
Statement dates: October 6, 2026
Statement dates: September 30, 2026 to October 6, 2026
