Trump Appoints Andrew Ferguson as FTC Chair, Signaling Shift in Antitrust and Regulatory Priorities

Ferguson plans to roll back current FTC policies, focus on politically charged investigations, and ease restrictions on corporate mergers.

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.