The former US Federal Trade Commission chairperson joins three other veterans to prepare the incoming mayor’s administration.
NEW YORK, November 10: New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has appointed Lina Maliha Khan, the Pakistani-American legal scholar and former US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairperson, to co-chair his transition team, marking a significant inclusion of South Asian representation at the highest levels of American municipal governance.
Mamdani, 34, who made history as the first Muslim and South Asian to be elected New York City’s mayor, will assume office on January 1, 2026. His administration will oversee a $116 billion city budget and one of the most complex municipal systems in the world.
Lina Khan’s Key Role in the Transition
Khan, 36, will co-lead the transition alongside three senior veterans of New York City Hall, the seat of local government.
“New Yorkers sent a clear message this week that it’s time to build a city that working people can actually afford. I’m excited to help Zohran build a team that will usher in a new era for New York City and set a new model for Democratic governance,” Lina Khan, in an official statement.
Mamdani said Khan’s appointment reflects his vision for “a progressive, transparent, and people-centered city government.”
A Reform-Minded Legal Scholar
During her tenure as FTC Chairperson under President Joe Biden, Lina Khan became a prominent voice in antitrust reform and consumer protection, targeting corporate concentration and unfair trade practices.
She launched a series of initiatives against monopolistic behavior by Big Tech firms including Amazon and Microsoft, drawing both praise and criticism for her bold enforcement style.
Progressives hailed her efforts to curb corporate power, while some Silicon Valley leaders clashed with her regulatory approach.
Despite political divides, Khan won bipartisan respect, earning support from Democrats and conservative figures such as J.D. Vance, now U.S. Vice President, and Steve Bannon, former White House strategist.
Shaping the Future of New York City
Khan’s experience in public policy and corporate accountability is expected to help Mamdani design a progressive economic and governance framework for New York City.
Political analysts suggest her involvement could strengthen the mayor-elect’s efforts to make housing, healthcare, and digital access more equitable, key pillars of his campaign platform. With Khan’s expertise and Mamdani’s progressive momentum, the transition team aims to set the tone for what could become a new model of Democratic governance in urban America.