The Trump administration has granted SpaceX's Starlink routers an exemption from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ban on foreign-made routers. The FCC issued a public notice stating that Starlink routers received approval from the Department of Defense. This exemption is valid until February 1, 2028.

The FCC's ban targets consumer-grade routers manufactured, at least in part, outside the US, deeming them an unacceptable risk to national security. Companies require exemptions to continue selling their products. Major vendors like Netgear and Amazon have previously secured similar exemptions. The administration has expressed concerns about national security risks associated with foreign networking products, particularly those with Chinese ties, and has encouraged domestic manufacturing.

While some Starlink routers are produced in Texas, others have been manufactured in Vietnam. SpaceX's exemption signifies a departure from the administration's general stance on foreign-made networking equipment.