President-elect Donald Trump has announced his choice of Andrew Ferguson to lead the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Trump praised Ferguson for his strong stance against Big Tech censorship and his efforts to protect free speech in the United States. Ferguson, who is currently serving as an FTC commissioner, also has experience as a clerk for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, according to his biography.
Following the announcement, Ferguson expressed his gratitude for being chosen to lead the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). He stated that under his leadership, the FTC would put an end to Big Tech’s attacks on competition and free speech, ensuring that America remains the global leader in technology and the top destination for innovators.
Additionally, Trump revealed that he has selected Mark Meador as his nominee for an FTC commissioner. In a post, Trump highlighted Mark Meador’s experience, noting that he has worked as an antitrust enforcer at both the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, as well as in private practice at the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP.
Trump’s re-election has raised questions about how his administration will handle ongoing antitrust cases against major tech companies like Apple and Amazon. Google is also awaiting a decision on whether a federal judge will accept the US government’s recommendation to force it to sell Chrome following the ruling that its search business is a monopoly. The new administration may also choose to end current FTC investigations.
Ferguson recently praised Trump’s selection of Gail Slater to lead the Justice Department’s antitrust division, noting she is expected to continue taking action against big tech platforms for alleged anticompetitive practices.
Lina Khan, the current FTC chair, has overseen the blocking of billions of dollars in corporate mergers, which has earned her the disapproval of Wall Street. Under Khan’s leadership, the FTC, in collaboration with the Justice Department’s antitrust division, has blocked numerous mergers over concerns that they reduce competition and allow companies to raise prices and exploit workers. This includes the FTC’s lawsuit to stop the $25 billion merger of grocery chains Kroger and Albertsons, which was recently blocked by a federal judge. The FTC has also taken action against Big Tech, Big Pharma, and even the mattress industry to maintain competitive markets.
While Trump was expected to replace Khan, some Republicans, including those appointed to join his administration, are known as “Khanservatives” because they support stronger, not weaker, antitrust enforcement. Vice President-elect JD Vance expressed support for Khan in February, saying she is “one of the few people in the Biden administration that I think is doing a pretty good job.”