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Zohran Mamdani, the incoming mayor of New York City, has announced the appointment of Lina Maliha Khan, a distinguished Pakistani-American legal expert and former chair of the Federal Trade Commission, to co-lead his transition team. Mamdani, 34, will take office on January 1, 2026, becoming the first Muslim and South Asian to hold the position overseeing the largest city in the United States, with a budget of $116 billion and international attention.
Khan, 36, who headed the FTC under President Biden, will partner with three experienced officials from New York City Hall to guide Mamdani’s transition, according to a statement from the mayor-elect. She expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity, emphasizing her commitment to building an affordable, equitable city for residents and her excitement to forge a new chapter in urban governance.
During her tenure as FTC chair, Khan intensified investigations into corporate mergers and championed efforts to protect consumers from unfair practices, including deceptive fees and forced arbitration clauses. Her stance against corporate consolidation, notably her actions against Amazon, Microsoft, and Ticketmaster, garnered bipartisan support—receiving acclaim from both Democrats and Republicans like J.D. Vance and Steve Bannon.
Born in London to Pakistani parents who immigrated to the U.S. in 2000, Khan is married to cardiologist Dr. Shah Rukh Ali of Columbia University. Her appointment marks a significant step in New York’s political landscape, aligning progressive priorities with federal regulatory experience amidst the city’s ongoing efforts to address affordability and corporate influence.
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