Lina Khan: From FTC Chair to Key Advisor in Mamdani's NYC Transition Team

Lina Khan served as Chair of the Federal Trade Commission from June 15, 2021, to January 20, 2025.

Recently, New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani appointed former Federal Trade Commission (FTC) chair Lina Khan to co-lead his transition team. Khan, who has Pakistani heritage and was born in the United Kingdom, moved to the United States at age 11. During her tenure at the FTC, she became known for her stringent approach to antitrust enforcement, often challenging major corporations and their business practices.

Khan shared her thoughts on social media regarding Mayor-elect Mamdani's victory, expressing her support for his campaign and vision for New York City.

As FTC Chair under the Biden administration, Khan made history by becoming the youngest person ever to lead the federal consumer protection agency, assuming the position at just 32 years old. Her leadership prioritized robust antitrust enforcement, restrictions on non-compete agreements, data privacy protection, and combating illegal practices affecting healthcare affordability.

Khan's professional background includes working as counsel to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law. She also served as an associate professor at Columbia Law School. Her academic credentials include degrees from Williams College and Yale Law School, where she authored her groundbreaking paper on Amazon's business practices.

In her new role with Mamdani's transition team, Khan is currently evaluating the scope of mayoral authority as part of the preparation for Mamdani's inauguration on January 1, 2026. She will advise the incoming mayor on economic policy and personnel matters, with a particular focus on implementing his ambitious affordability agenda for New York City residents.

During her time as FTC Chair, Khan initiated significant legal challenges against technology giants including Amazon, Meta Platforms, and Microsoft. Although some efforts were unsuccessful, such as her attempt to block Microsoft's acquisition of Activision-Blizzard, she successfully prevented the merger between grocery chains Kroger and Albertsons and advocated for banning non-compete clauses that restrict worker mobility.

Khan's regulatory approach has drawn criticism from numerous business leaders and investors, including LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, IAC chairman Barry Diller, and venture capitalists Vinod Khosla and Peter Thiel. Her critics have accused her of being hostile toward business interests and hindering American economic growth.

While at Yale Law School, Khan published the influential paper "Amazon's Antitrust Paradox," arguing that Amazon employed predatory pricing strategies while evading regulatory scrutiny because consumer prices remained low, challenging traditional antitrust frameworks.

Although Khan's municipal role may not directly involve regulating technology companies, her appointment carries significant implications for major firms with substantial New York operations, including Google, Meta, and Amazon. Eric Soufer from Tusk Strategies noted that these companies might view Mamdani's decision to partner with Khan as a warning sign, potentially causing concern among corporate leaders until the transition team clarifies its policy direction.