Overview

• Andrew Ferguson, the new FTC chair appointed by President Trump, gained authority to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies across the agency following a vote on Thursday.
• Democratic Commissioners Lina Khan and Rebecca Slaughter abstained from the vote, while Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya opposed, criticizing the focus on DEI over pressing consumer and economic issues.
• Ferguson also shut down public comment opportunities on topics including corporate surveillance pricing, illegal business practices, and protections for small businesses and workers.
• Critics, including Bedoya, argue that Ferguson's actions ignore key challenges like rising costs of living and monopolistic practices, which were central to the FTC's previous agenda.
• Ferguson defended his decisions as aligning with Trump's executive orders, emphasizing the President's campaign promise to end DEI initiatives in federal agencies.