Internal FTC Documents and Testimony Reveal Abuse of Power, Misuse of Resources, and Culture of Fear Under Chair Lina Khan

WASHINGTON, D.C.- House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) released an interim staff report titled, "Abuse of Power, Waste of Resources, and Fear: What Internal Documents and Testimony from Career Employees Show About the FTC Under Chair Lina Khan."

Since the beginning of Khan's tenure, which started with President Biden's failure to inform the Senate of Khan's designation as Chair when nominating her as Commissioner, Chair Khan has demonstrated disinterest in leading career FTC staff. The report details internal documents from career FTC employees describing Chair Khan as undermining the work of the FTC by consolidating power in her office, refusing to make timely decisions, and eschewing important work to protect consumers in favor of a radical agenda detached from the FTC's legal mandates. The report focuses on mismanagement, waste, and abuse of government resources by senior leadership at the FTC-specifically Chair Khan, her direct staff, and the Bureau of Competition Front Office.

Only under threat of subpoena did the Committee receive documents from, and secure interviews with, FTC employees. The information obtained by the Committee paints a disturbing portrait of an agency beset by dysfunction and chaos stemming from the poor leadership and ideological bullying of its Chair and her leadership staff. The report's findings reinforce the results of repeated government-wide surveys that found the FTC to have a toxic work environment under Chair Khan. Unlike previous FTC leadership, Chair Khan has repeatedly attempted to evade Congressional oversight. As Congress considers legislative reforms to federal antitrust law and the FTC, the Committee will continue its duty of conducting robust, fact-based oversight of the FTC.

Read the full interim staff report here.