President Trump names Ajit Pai as FCC chairman

President Donald Trump named Commissioner Ajit Pai, who favors deregulation and net neutrality, as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. Chairman Pai's position will now give him control full over the nation's most powerful telecom and cable regulator. Nominated to the FCC by President Obama in 2012, Pai proposed and opposed rules aimed at consumer protections. Pai served as a commissioner for about five years, so he does not need to be confirmed by the Senate before serving as the agency's 34th chairman. Pai voted against lowering the cost of cable boxes, lowering rates for prison phone calls, and restricting data collection by ISPs.