Lina Khan Joins Zohran Mamdani’s Transition Team: What This Means for Corporate Power, Markets and Policy
Former FTC Chair Lina Khan will join newly-elected NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s transition team, where she will help shape policy on corporate regulation and public spending. The move signals a continued political push to scrutinize major corporations, particularly in technology, housing, and consumer markets. The article explores the financial and regulatory implications of Khan’s return to public strategy work.
A Partnership That Signals a Shift in Power
In a move resonating across political, business and financial circles, Zohran Mamdani, the newly elected Queens Borough President, has appointed former Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan to his transition team. The appointment marks one of the most significant returns to local policy influence by a national antitrust figure in recent memory — and signals a direct focus on corporate accountability, housing affordability, and public investment.
Mamdani, a rising figure in progressive politics, has built his reputation advocating for stronger tenant protections, public transit expansion, and government transparency. His decision to bring Khan into his inner strategic circle makes clear that his administration intends to challenge entrenched corporate practices that shape everyday life in New York — from rent pricing to consumer costs.
Lina Khan’s Legacy: The Architect of Modern Antitrust
Lina Khan’s tenure as FTC Chair was defined by her aggressive scrutiny of corporate consolidation, particularly in Big Tech. She pushed forward the idea that market dominance can harm competition even when consumers aren’t paying higher prices, a shift that rattled companies from Amazon to Meta.
During her leadership, the FTC launched lawsuits and investigations aimed at curbing monopolistic behavior, data abuse, and predatory mergers. Khan became both celebrated and criticized — depending on whether one stood on the consumer side or corporate side of the debate.
Dr. Eleanor Fox, a respected antitrust scholar at NYU School of Law, once described Khan’s impact succinctly:
“Khan didn’t just reshape antitrust enforcement — she challenged how we define power in the modern economy.”
Her move to local government isn’t a retreat — it’s a strategic repositioning.
Lina Khan
Why Queens Is the New Battleground for Corporate Influence
Queens is home to some of the most contested economic issues in the country:
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Escalating housing prices driven partly by private equity landlords
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A transit system in need of modernization and funding
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Small businesses struggling to survive against corporate retail giants
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The legacy of Amazon’s canceled HQ2 deal, which Mamdani publicly opposed
By bringing Khan on board, Mamdani signals that his administration is not just managing the borough — it is preparing to reshape its economic power structures.
The Financial Angle: What Investors and Businesses Are Watching
While the appointment is political, the economic ripples are real. Businesses operating in Queens — particularly real estate groups, investment firms, and companies depending on gig or service labor — may face increased oversight.
Key concerns in business circles include:
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Potential rent regulation reforms
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Increased scrutiny of property acquisitions by private equity
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Public investment shifts from corporate development to community funds
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Regulatory pressure on tech-driven delivery services and warehouses
According to analysis reviewed by CEO Today, private capital investment in Queens real estate has surged in the last decade — often outpacing local incomes and pricing out long-term residents. Khan’s influence may pave the way for policy guardrails on speculative investment patterns.
Legal Direction: A More Aggressive Approach to Corporate Accountability
Expect sharper focus in areas such as:
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Corporate tax transparency
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Antitrust intervention at the local level
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Increased legal review of public-private development agreements
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Oversight of tech firms operating in municipal infrastructure
Mamdani and Khan share a consistent belief: unchecked consolidation can destabilize public well-being — and cities can fight back before markets become unfixable.
What Comes Next
The transition team will spend the next several months drafting policy frameworks, auditing borough contracts, and meeting with community and business leaders. While many of these discussions will happen behind closed doors, the direction is unmistakable:
Queens is preparing to become a national case study in how local government can challenge corporate power — while still driving growth.
If successful, this model could spread to cities nationwide.
Lina Khan’s New Role: Key Questions Answered
Why is Lina Khan joining Zohran Mamdani’s transition team?
Khan is joining to guide regulatory and economic policy for Mamdani’s new administration, drawing on her expertise in antitrust law and corporate accountability.
What experience does Lina Khan bring to the role?
As the former Chair of the Federal Trade Commission, Khan led high-profile investigations into Big Tech and corporate market concentration, making her one of the most influential antitrust figures in the U.S.
How might this appointment impact corporate regulation in New York City?
Khan’s involvement signals a likely increase in oversight of large landlords, real estate developers, and corporations operating in the city’s public services and housing markets.
Will small businesses in Queens see any benefit?
Small businesses could benefit from policy proposals aimed at leveling the playing field, reducing market domination, and expanding local support and grant access.
