Lina Khan was sworn in as FTC chair on June 15, 2021. The announcement described an incoming leader with experience at Columbia Law School, the House Judiciary Committee’s antitrust subcommittee and the office of Commissioner Rohit Chopra. Those details identify relevant work she had done; they do not establish the fairness of decisions she had yet to make in her new role. [10]

The public record also separates two responsibilities. The Senate confirmed Khan as a commissioner by 69 votes to 28, with three members not voting. President Biden designated her as chair, according to the FTC. The commission term ended September 25, 2024. These acts locate authority in named institutions rather than in the reputation attached to a new appointee. [10][27]

For readers concerned with fair treatment of customers and businesses, our ethical analysis is that neither celebration nor suspicion can substitute for examining actual conduct. An appointment does not tell us whose voice will be heard in a particular matter, or whether competing interests will receive careful consideration. This June 15 retrospective records the appointment without awarding moral credit for benefits the two documents do not demonstrate. [10][27]

Source documents

  1. Lina M. Khan Sworn in as Chair of the FTC | Federal Trade Commissionhttps://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2021/06/lina-m-khan-sworn-chair-ftc
  2. U.S. Senate Roll Call Vote 233, 117th Congress, 1st Session — Lina M. Khanhttps://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1171/vote_117_1_00233.htm