Redl Abruptly Resigns After 18 Months as NTIA Leader
NTIA Administrator David Redl resigned Thursday, prompting speculation among communications sector officials and lobbyists about his reasons for leaving. Most were confident Redl's departure won't hinder NTIA's ongoing work, though they also believe the agency is probably unlikely to have another permanent head before the 2020 election. Redl had led the agency for about 18 months. The Senate confirmed him in November 2017 (see 1711070084).
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Redl will be replaced on an interim basis by Deputy Administrator Diane Rinaldo, a spokesperson said. Like Redl, she used to work for the House. Redl was previously the House Commerce Committee's chief GOP telecom policy counsel.
“I wanted to let you all know that I remain in awe of the amazing work that all of you do,” Redl emailed staff Thursday. “That’s why it’s with a heavy heart that I let you know that I have submitted my resignation to the President. NTIA is an amazing organization and you are all the kind of professionals that any political appointee would be honored to serve alongside. In my 18 months here, we’ve made meaningful contributions to so many areas of communications and technology policy and I know you will continue to beyond my tenure.”
The departure caught even some Republicans by surprise. Redl and the Commerce Department didn’t say why he was leaving. GOP lawyers told us Redl had apparently reached a point where he had to leave or stay for the rest of President Donald Trump’s first term and opted to go. Redl had had some disagreements with both the FCC and the State Department, but none of that likely prompted his departure, the lawyers said. Other officials pointed to disagreements between Redl and other Commerce officials, including Deputy Chief of Staff and Policy Director Earl Comstock.
Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross confirmed the resignations of Redl and Assistant Secretary-Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Michael Platt. Ross in a statement thanked them for their service to Trump, the department “and the American people. I wish them well.”
“I just learned the news,” Chairman Ajit Pai said after the FCC meeting. “I haven’t had a chance to think about things going forward.”
Commissioner Mike O’Rielly said he has known Redl for years. “We’ve agreed on some [things], disagreed on others,” he said. “He’s a very passionate individual and very knowledgeable.” Redl's departure likely won’t cause problems even with the World Radiocommunication Conference looming later this year, O’Rielly said. “We have a very capable” head of delegation in Grace Koh, he said: “I’m very comfortable with her leadership.”
Disagreements within the administration on the 24 and 37 GHz bands are a “serious concern” heading into the WRC, said Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. “It’s not helpful for our nation’s spectrum policy and it’s embarrassing.” Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said he has been puzzled by disagreements within the administration on the two bands. “I would hope that NTIA is able to further its mission even though Mr. Redl has stepped down,” he said.
Communications sector officials and lobbyists believe it's likely the Trump administration will aim to retain Rinaldo as interim NTIA administrator until after the November 2020 presidential election rather than seek to name a permanent replacement before then. The Senate's willingness to confirm further Trump nominees is going to rapidly deteriorate over the next six months as the campaigns for the parties' 2020 presidential nominations gets into high gear, lobbyists said. That makes it much less attractive for the administration to seek out additional confirmation battles when interim leaders are already in place.
It's still too early to know who would be a natural permanent successor to Redl, lobbyists said. They noted several potential contenders -- Comstock, House Communications Subcommittee Chief GOP Counsel Robin Colwell, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Senior Policy Counsel Kelsey Guyselman and Senate Commerce Committee Deputy GOP Staff Director Crystal Tully. Some officials discounted Tully as a possible candidate, noting Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., apparently is eyeing Tully as a candidate to be an FCC GOP commissioner the next time a seat falls vacant.