Former FTC Chair Lina Khan Joins Zohran Mamdanis Transition Team A familiar face in the fight against corporate power is stepping into a new role. Lina Khan, the former Chair of the Federal Trade Commission under President Joe Biden, has been officially announced as a transition co-chair for Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. She will help set up his new administration before he takes office in 2026. Mamdani, who won the New York City mayoral race, ran on a platform centered on affordability, with a key strategy being to challenge corporate corruption to lower prices for residents. His proposed policies include banning hidden fees and non-compete clauses, while also funding efforts to challenge utility company rate hikes. The alignment between Khan and Mamdani is clear. As FTC Chair, Khan was best known for her aggressive stance on antitrust enforcement, aiming to rebuild the agencys focus on monopolies. Her tenure also saw a push for policies that directly mirror Mamdanis platform, such as the FTCs own moves to ban non-compete clauses and crack down on hidden junk fees. Khan has publicly expressed support for the Mamdani campaigns focus on supporting small businesses. At a press conference announcing her new role, Khan stated that the election represented a clear rejection of a politics where outsized corporate power and money too often end up dictating our politics. She described it as a mandate for change where New Yorkers can get ahead and where all workers and small businesses can thrive, not just get by. While Mamdani has served as a New York state assemblyman, his relative lack of executive experience was a consistent criticism during his campaign. His selection of transition co-chairs, including Khan and other seasoned administrators, signals an intent to surround himself with experienced figures. In Khans case, this brings in a leader who is openly critical of corporate influence. This move is particularly notable given the current federal landscape. The Trump administration has remade the FTC, shifting its focus away from the aggressive antitrust posture Khan championed. Her role in New York Citys upcoming administration suggests that the battle to check the influence of big business will continue at the municipal level, with a key ally now helping to shape policy from within City Hall.
