Trump FTC commission to head agency
President-elect Trump has nominated Andrew Ferguson to serve as the chair of the Federal Trade Commission, the anti-trust agency where he currently serves as a commissioner. Trump praised Ferguson’s record of standing up to Big Tech censorship and protecting Freedom of Speech in the United States. He believes that Ferguson will be the most America First and pro-innovation FTC Chair in the country’s history.
Ferguson, a Republican commissioner appointed by President Biden, is known for his experience as the solicitor general of Virginia. He joined the FTC on April 2 and is one of two Republican commissioners on the five-member panel chaired by Lina Khan. With Ferguson’s appointment as chair, it is expected that the FTC will take a lighter approach to antitrust enforcement.
Under Khan’s leadership, the FTC blocked several corporate acquisitions and sued tech giants like Amazon and Meta for anticompetitive behavior. One notable case was the proposed merger between Korger and Albertsons, which was halted by a judge after the FTC filed a lawsuit alleging that it would lead to higher prices and lower wages for workers.
Ferguson’s previous statements suggest a continued focus on scrutinizing large tech companies for unlawful collusion that limits Americans’ ability to exchange ideas freely. He emphasized the importance of vigorously enforcing antitrust laws against platforms that restrict free speech.
The appointment of Andrew Ferguson as chair of the FTC signals a shift towards a more conservative and pro-innovation approach to antitrust enforcement. It remains to be seen how his leadership will impact the agency’s actions in the coming years.
