In the lead-up to the election, Lina Khan, chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), has faced criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. Prominent Democratic donors, including billionaires Reid Hoffman, Barry Diller, and Mark Cuban, have called for her removal from the agency. More recently, a report from the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee accused her of pursuing a far-left agenda and weaponizing the FTC. Elon Musk, the biggest supporter of Donald Trump‘s in Silicon Valley, wrote on Twitter that Khan “will be fired soon.”
A report in the New York Times talks about how Khan, nominated in 2021 by President Joe Biden, became one of the hottest topics of the US Elections 2024. At 35, she is the youngest-ever chairman of FTC.
Why many companies are unhappy with Lina Khan
She reportedly has become a focal point of bipartisan attention. This level of scrutiny is said to be unusual for a leader of the FTC, which typically operates under the radar while regulating companies that undermine competition. The NYT report said that the intense focus on Khan reflects the high stakes of the Biden administration’s efforts to curb the power of America’s largest corporations, a programme that could be reversed by the next president.
Dwelling further the report adds that FTC and Justice Department scrutiny has led to the collapse of several major corporate deals, with lawsuits potentially breaking up big brands like Google, Amazon, and Ticketmaster’s parent company. Khan has advocated for regulating artificial intelligence, ordered companies to simplify online subscription cancellations, and banned noncompete agreements that prevent workers from joining rival employers.
The business community and its Washington allies have fiercely opposed Khan’s actions. Representative James Comer, R-Ky., reportedly criticized her leadership, claiming she would stop at nothing to achieve the radical left’s goals. Amazon and Meta have called for her recusal from investigations and lawsuits due to her previous criticisms. Lobbying groups have complained that her actions are chilling the economy.
In a September interview with The New York Times, Khan acknowledged the criticism but dismissed much of it, emphasizing the importance of considering diverse voices and keeping the entire country in mind. She expressed uncertainty about her future in a “60 Minutes” interview, stating it would be an honor to continue in her role.
Many observers expect Trump to replace Khan if he wins the election, as presidents typically appoint leaders from their own party to agencies like the FTC. Former FTC chair Bill Kovacic believes Khan’s tenure would be short-lived under a Trump administration. Khan’s fate under Vice President Kamala Harris is less certain, as her term expired in September. The next president could replace her by appointing a new chair or designating one of the other commissioners.
Khan, who gained prominence as a scholar advocating for stricter antitrust laws against companies like Amazon, became the youngest leader of the FTC in its history. She revived an FTC lawsuit to break up Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, and sued Amazon for allegedly monopolizing online retail. The FTC also unsuccessfully attempted to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard and is fighting to block Kroger’s $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons.