Trump Appoints Ex-Clarence Thomas Clerk Ferguson as FTC Chair to Combat Big Tech Censorship

Dec 11, 2024, 12:22 AM

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Andrew N. Ferguson as the next Chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), replacing Lina Khan, whose term expired in September. Ferguson, a Republican who was sworn in as an FTC Commissioner in April 2024 after being appointed by President Joe Biden, does not require Senate confirmation for the new role. He is a former clerk for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and previously served as chief counsel to Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell. Ferguson is expected to lead the FTC's efforts in consumer protection and antitrust enforcement. He has been noted for his stance on perceived censorship of conservative viewpoints online and has a record of opposing Big Tech censorship and advocating for freedom of speech. Ferguson has promised to ease up on the policing of powerful American companies, except for the biggest technology firms. Trump's selection of Ferguson signals a potential shift in the FTC's approach to regulating large technology companies. The appointment was announced by Trump on social media on Tuesday.