Oversight Committee accuses FTC Chair Lina Khan of abusing authority

U.S. Rep. James Comer representing Kentucky's 1st Congressional District | Official U.S. House headshot

By NW Kentucky News

Oct 31, 2024

The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, led by Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), has released a report titled “The Federal Trade Commission Under Chair Lina Khan: Undue Biden-Harris White House Influence and Sweeping Destruction of Agency Norms.” The document alleges that FTC Chair Lina Khan misused her position to advance the agenda of the Biden-Harris Administration. The report criticizes her for undermining the FTC's independent mission by violating various norms, including legal and ethical standards.

Chairman Comer stated, "Rather than fulfill her obligation to ensure the FTC adheres to its independent role, our investigation reveals that Chair Lina Khan abused her power and bent the knee to the Biden-Harris White House." He further claimed that Khan has disregarded agency norms and ethics, becoming a political tool for ideological goals. Comer's remarks emphasize concerns about maintaining confidence in the FTC’s role in consumer protection.

Since June 2023, the committee has conducted interviews with top Commission officials and reviewed documents from the FTC. This inquiry focused on alleged abuses of power, collusion with foreign officials, misconduct in merger reviews, and Khan's involvement in 2024 campaign events with Democratic candidates.

Key findings of the report include accusations that Chair Khan violated principles of due process and ethical standards. It claims she prioritized advancing a left-wing agenda over maintaining Commission independence. The report also accuses her of disrupting traditional merger-review processes to deter mergers broadly.

Furthermore, it alleges that under Khan’s leadership, the FTC collaborated with European authorities against American companies when U.S. laws did not support desired outcomes. It also claims she enabled significant changes in rulemaking practices at consumers' expense.

The report concludes by accusing Khan of allowing White House influence over Commission activities related to election interests and causing low morale among career staff.