Former Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan, who served under former President Joe Biden, has become the focus of controversy after her inclusion in the transition team of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani, who ran on a platform of shaking up the city’s Democratic establishment, was recently criticized for appointing Khan, known for her aggressive antitrust policies, as a major figure in his city government.
During her tenure at the FTC, Khan faced accusations from Republicans of undermining agency independence and pursuing a heavily politicized antitrust enforcement agenda. These critics claimed that she prioritized allies from dark money nonprofits, including those funded by billionaires like George Soros and Pierre Omidyar, often sidelining established career professionals within the agency.
These claims are not isolated. Under Khan’s leadership, the FTC was also accused of adopting policies that aligned closely with positions from the AI Now Institute, a think tank that has received substantial support from the Soros, Omidyar, and Ford foundations. Advisors from AI Now were reportedly involved in shaping the commission’s approach to technological regulation and antitrust issues, raising concerns about the potential influence of external interests on regulatory decisions.
The appointment of Khan to Mamdani’s transition team has drawn scrutiny, particularly in light of the mayor’s public vow to enact meaningful change in New York. Critics argue that the move undermines his promise to distance the city from the old guard of Democratic politics, with some even suggesting it reflects a continuity rather than a break with the established political class.
Conservative political strategists have condemned the appointment, stating that while Mamdani has emphasized a new era of politics in the city, his reliance on the same political insiders from previous administrations casts doubt on the authenticity of his reform agenda. Additionally, the broader implications for governance in New York have led to ongoing debate about the role of external funding in shaping policy and the potential consequences for public trust in government institutions.
As New York City prepares for a new administration, the scrutiny over Khan’s influence and the broader implications for governance remains a focal point for political analysts and the public.