Former President Donald Trump has selected Andrew Ferguson, current FTC Commissioner, to chair the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Trump announced the appointment via Truth Social, praising Ferguson's stance against what he termed "Big Tech censorship" and his commitment to free speech. He emphasized that Ferguson would be the "most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair" in history.

Ferguson, one of two Republicans on the five-member commission, was originally appointed by President Biden and joined the FTC in April 2024. His leadership is anticipated to shift the FTC's approach to antitrust enforcement, potentially easing the stricter policies under current Chair Lina Khan. This change is likely to include new appointments to key director positions within the agency.

Khan's tenure has been marked by significant challenges to major corporate mergers and lawsuits against tech giants like Amazon and Meta, alleging anti-competitive practices. Notably, under Khan's leadership, the FTC successfully blocked a proposed $24.6 billion merger between supermarket chains Kroger and Albertsons, citing potential negative impacts on consumer prices and worker wages. A judge recently upheld the FTC's lawsuit, halting the merger.

Despite the anticipated shift in approach, Ferguson's background suggests continued attention to large tech companies. In a recent statement, he advocated for legal action against online platforms engaging in practices that could restrict free and open exchange of ideas among Americans. This indicates a potential continuation of scrutiny toward Big Tech, even under a new FTC chair.