New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) appointed former Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan to lead the board of the city’s Economic Development Corporation, placing one of Big Tech’s fiercest critics at the center of his economic agenda.
Mamdani Puts Khan At Economic Helm
Mamdani said Khan had “fought exploitation and dishonesty” and provided “the blueprint for a government that delivers for working people.” He said she would usher the agency into “a new era of opportunity” and ensure “justice is the driving principle” behind its work.
The nonprofit EDC manages city assets, finances development and works to attract businesses and jobs. Anthony Shorris, a former deputy mayor and McKinsey partner, will serve as president and CEO alongside Khan.
“EDC has a vital role to play in ensuring that New York’s economy is growing in ways that make our city more affordable, efficient and resilient,” Khan said. “I look forward to working with the administration to advance this vision and make life materially better for New Yorkers.”
Khan Brings Aggressive Antitrust Record Downtown
Khan led the FTC from 2021 to 2025 and became the face of the Biden administration’s antitrust push. Her agency sued Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) in 2023, alleging it illegally maintained monopoly power, and pursued a case accusing Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:META) in September 2025 of using a “buy or bury” strategy with Instagram and WhatsApp.
The FTC also challenged Microsoft Corp.’s (NASDAQ:MSFT) $69 billion Activision Blizzard purchase and opened a broad investigation into Microsoft’s cloud and AI businesses. Courts rejected the Activision challenge and an effort to block Meta’s purchase of virtual-reality developer Within.
Khan’s tenure nevertheless produced victories. The FTC helped block Kroger Co.’s (NYSE:KR) $25 billion Albertsons Companies Inc. (NYSE:ACI) purchase in December 2024 and Tapestry Inc.’s (NYSE:TPR) $8.5 billion Capri Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:CPRI) deal. It also scrutinized AI partnerships linking Microsoft, OpenAI, Amazon, Anthropic and Google.
Appointment Rekindles Business And Political Debate
The appointment renewed debate over Mamdani’s relationship with business. Khan’s earlier transition-team role reportedly left some wealthy New Yorkers “looking for therapy”, while corporate critics have called her approach overly aggressive.
Her record has also scrambled party lines. House Republicans accused Khan of politicizing the FTC, but Vice President JD Vance previously said she was doing “a pretty good job.” Deputy Mayor Julie Su said Khan and Shorris would help build “a city that’s more affordable and more just.”
Image via Shutterstock
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