FTC Seeks Delay in Amazon Prime Trial, Citing Severe Resource Shortages

The agency, struggling with staffing and budget cuts, has requested a two-month postponement for the deceptive practices case against Amazon.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has requested a federal judge to delay the September trial against Amazon over alleged deceptive Prime subscription practices by two months.
FTC attorney Jonathan Cohen cited significant staffing and budget constraints, exacerbated by federal workforce reductions and a hiring freeze under the Trump administration.
The agency is facing challenges such as employee resignations, limited access to court documents, and an impending office relocation, all of which could hinder trial preparations.
Judge John Chun questioned how the FTC’s situation might improve in two months, with Cohen acknowledging uncertainty but expressing hope that the worst of the disruptions may have passed.
Amazon's legal team opposed the delay, arguing that the FTC has not sufficiently demonstrated an inability to proceed with the current trial schedule.