Trump Announces Andrew Ferguson as FTC Chair, Mark Meador as Commissioner

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in Washington on Aug. 6, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday announced two key appointments to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). He named Andrew Ferguson as the next chair of the FTC and nominated antitrust lawyer Mark Meador as a commissioner.

Ferguson, who has served as an FTC commissioner since April 2024, will replace Lina Khan. Meanwhile, Meador’s nomination fills one of the commission’s seats, with the FTC currently comprising three Democrats and two Republicans.

“Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.”

Ferguson, a former solicitor general of Virginia and antitrust litigator, is a University of Virginia graduate who clerked for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. His tenure at the FTC has been marked by efforts to scale back regulatory overreach.

Meador, currently a partner at boutique antitrust law firm Kressin Meador Powers LLC, brings deep experience in antitrust law, Trump said. He previously served as deputy chief counsel for antitrust and competition policy to Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), the senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee.

Meador’s background also includes roles as an enforcer at the FTC and the Department of Justice Antitrust Division, as well as in private practice at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.