Comer investigates FTC Chairwoman Khan for power abuse.

House Oversight Committee Launches Investigation into FTC Chairwoman Lina Khan

The House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer (R-KY), is launching an investigation into Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairwoman Lina Khan following the sudden resignation of FTC Commissioner Christine Wilson earlier this year.

“The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating matters raised by Commissioner Christine S. Wilson’s February 14, 2023, announcement of her unexpected resignation from the Federal Trade Commission (Commission or FTC). Commissioner Wilson declared her intent to resign over deep concerns that the Commission, under current Chair Lina M. Khan’s leadership, is abusing its power and disregarding the rule of law, due process, and federal ethics laws,” Comer said in the letter.

Comer has requested all documents and communications related to the allegations made in Wilson’s resignation letter, including “abuses of power and disregard for the rule of law and federal ethics standard.”

Investigating Allegations of Misconduct

“We seek documents and information to shed light on Commissioner Wilson’s allegations and determine the extent to which the Commission has deviated from its mission to protect America’s consumers,” Comer continued.

In the letter, Comer questions whether the FTC has become a “rogue agency” under Khan’s leadership and inquires as to whether the White House had any influence on her decisions.

“These matters raise questions whether the FTC under Chair Khan has become a rogue agency—particularly given Chair Khan’s drive at the beginning of her tenure to ‘bulldoz[e] procedural safeguards,’ ‘consolidate agency power,’ ‘unilaterally assert and expand regulatory authority,’ and ‘abandon bipartisan and open processes,’” Comer said.

Comer also expressed concern about whether departures from prior norms under Khan are due to White House influence, as President Biden called upon Khan to play a leading role in implementing his Executive Order 14036 on “Promoting Competition in the American Economy.”

Khan was appointed as chairwoman of the FTC by President Joe Biden in 2021.

Ensuring Accountability and Transparency

The House Oversight Committee’s investigation into the FTC and Chairwoman Khan is an important step in ensuring accountability and transparency in government agencies. By investigating allegations of misconduct and abuse of power, the committee is working to protect the interests of American consumers and uphold the rule of law.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.