Lina Khan, the former chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) known for taking on corporate power, has been appointed to the transition team of New York's mayor-elect. Khan, who left the FTC after Donald Trump returned to the White House, is one of five women selected for the team, which is expected to shape the incoming administration's policies.
Khan's tenure at the FTC was marked by significant achievements, including reducing the price of inhalers by tackling pharmaceutical price gouging, blocking a major supermarket merger, and recovering over $60 million in unpaid tips for Amazon drivers. Her work was accomplished within four years, despite navigating a sometimes hostile bureaucracy.
The appointment of Khan, who made her name challenging big tech monopolies, signals a progressive direction for the mayor-elect's administration. However, it has already drawn criticism from big tech and Wall Street executives, who view it as a warning shot. Khan previously faced opposition from powerful figures, including Meta and Amazon, which sought to have her recused from investigations, and Democratic donors who called for her dismissal during the 2024 presidential race.
Zohran Mamdani, the mayor-elect, has a mandate from New Yorkers but can expect resistance to his flagship policies from wealthy interests and some Democrats. Khan's presence on the transition team suggests a willingness to confront such opposition, building on her record of challenging corporate influence.
