speech clause of the First Amendment. In the aftermath of that landmark opinion, Petersen and his FEC colleagues developed the legal framework that led to the advent of Super PACs and governed political speech by corporations and labor unions. He also helped draft more robust procedural protections for persons and groups involved in enforcement matters, audits, and advisory opinions. As a Commissioner, Petersen advocated for maintaining broad protections for internet political speech. According to Petersen, the "use of the internet as a tool for political engagement has had a democratizing effect[,] … enabl[ing] speakers with few resources to communicate to large audiences, while a seemingly infinite array of [online] resources aid the citizenry in casting informed votes." During Petersen’s time on the FEC, some campaign finance reform groups criticized FEC Republicans for not being aggressive enough in enforcing campaign spending restrictions. Others praised the Republicans for their commitment to free speech and principled decision making. On August 26, 2019, Petersen sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump announcing he would be stepping down from the FEC. In his resignation letter, Petersen said, "I have faithfully discharged my duty to enforce the law in a manner that respects free speech rights, while also fairly interpreting the relevant statutes and regulations and providing meaningful notice to those subject to FEC jurisdiction." Petersen's departure from the FEC left the agency with only three commissioners; a minimum of four commissioners is necessary for the FEC to vote on enforcement actions, regulations, and advisory opinions. Post-FEC On September 5, 2019, the law firm of Holtzman Vogel Josefiak Torchinsky announced that Petersen would join as a partner. Petersen’s practice focuses on campaign finance, election administration, lobbying compliance, and government ethics. Petersen continues to write about and comment on election law-related issues, including the election administration challenges caused by COVID-19, and serves on the board of the Republican National Lawyers Association. Failed nomination to district court On September 11, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Petersen to serve as a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, to the seat vacated by Judge Richard W. Roberts, who assumed senior status on March 16, 2016. The American Bar Association's Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary unanimously rated Petersen as "Qualified". On December 13, 2017, during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee that subsequently went viral, Senator John Neely