Just hours after denouncing New York’s political establishment in his victory speech, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced an all-female transition team made up of veterans from the administrations of Michael Bloomberg, Bill de Blasio, Eric Adams, and Joe Biden.
According to Fox News, among the team’s four co-chairs is Lina Khan, who served as chair of the Federal Trade Commission under Joe Biden. During her time at the FTC, Khan faced accusations from Republicans of politicizing the agency, undermining bipartisanship, and favoring nonprofit networks funded by George Soros and Pierre Omidyar.
“For years, those in City Hall have only helped those who can help them,” Mamdani told supporters Tuesday night. “But on January 1st, we will usher in a city government that helps everyone.”
Khan’s inclusion has drawn scrutiny due to previous claims that she advanced allies’ interests while at the FTC. She appointed Sarah Miller, former head of the Soros- and Omidyar-backed American Economic Liberties Project, as her chief of staff. When Miller joined the FTC, her husband, Faiz Shakir, became interim leader of the same group.
Khan also brought in multiple advisers from the AI Now Institute, another organization supported by the same liberal funding networks. Those advisers helped shape FTC policy during her tenure, according to the agency’s own website.
Former Republican FTC Commissioner Christine Wilson, who resigned under Khan’s leadership, accused her of disregarding due process and sidelining career staff.
“Former FTC Chair Lina Khan became synonymous with her hostility toward businesses large and small during the Biden Administration,” GOP strategist Colin Reed said. “Already the incoming mayor is breaking one of his core promises to shake up the status quo and usher in a new day.”
Conservative strategist Matt Gorman also criticized Mamdani for “picking from the same old political class of a failed Democratic administration.”
Joining Khan as co-chairs are Maria Torres-Springer, who held top positions under Bloomberg, de Blasio, and Adams; Melanie Hartzog, former Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services under de Blasio; and Grace Bonilla, who worked on Bloomberg’s Task Force on Racial Equity and Inclusion.
Elana Leopold, a former senior aide to de Blasio, will serve as the transition team’s executive director.
