[hummusandsushi]

This is technically true but presents a very misleading version of events. The FCC has 5 seats that are traditionally occupied by partisan representatives. Ajit Pai was appointed by Obama to fill a republican vacancy and Jessica Rocenworcel to occupy a democratic vacancy.[0] Apparently Pai was Mitch McConnell's recommendation.

Trump then promotes Ajit Pai to be the chairman of the commission.[1]

So yes, Pai was nominated to the FCC by Obama to respect a partisan tradition at the recommendation of Republican members. Trump then promotes Pai, who by that point is a clear Net Neutrality opponent, to the chairman position.

[0] https://thehill.com/policy/technology/190857-obama-nominates...

[1] https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/trump-promotes-neutral...

[dragonwriter]

> The FCC has 5 seats that are traditionally occupied by partisan representatives

Its law that they have a limit of 3 per party, the tradition is that they are always of the two major parties, and that the Senate caucus of the party who doesn’t hold the White House has the dominant role in directing the nomination of the members of their party. Since they are also Senate confirmed, and given the existence of the filibuster even when not in divided government, there some strong teeth to that tradition, though conceivably with sufficient support in the Senate a Democratic President could fill vacancies (with 3 Democratic incumbents), with, say, Socialists or Greens rather than Republicans.

[hummusandsushi]

Thank you for the additional context, I did not know about these particulars. I think it would be very interesting how the tradition might change if someone from a different party (or even an independent) managed to fill a seat.

Clearly I am not an expert in the American political process, but the language of the parent comment has been used to deliberately mislead and I wanted to make it clear in what way it may be misleading.