Overview

• Andrew Ferguson, previously a Republican FTC commissioner, has been named chair of the Federal Trade Commission by President-elect Donald Trump.
• Leaked documents reveal Ferguson’s agenda includes reversing Lina Khan’s stricter antitrust policies and ending what he calls the 'war on mergers.'
• Ferguson has outlined plans to pursue politically motivated investigations, including targeting companies for alleged censorship and opposing diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• Critics warn that Ferguson’s proposed actions, such as investigating advertiser boycotts and LGBTQ-related healthcare providers, overstep the FTC’s consumer protection mandate.
• Ferguson’s approach has drawn backlash for prioritizing corporate interests and cultural battles over addressing issues like healthcare costs, fraud, and consumer protections.