A contentious debate has emerged in Washington as top Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee accuse Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan of compromising ethical standards by attending events with Democratic candidates, linked to the Hatch Act violations.
Lina Khan, FTC Chair, faces scrutiny from Republicans for allegedly participating in partisan activities during her official duties, which they argue could be seen as using her position to sway electoral results, Fox News reported.
At the heart of the Republican critique are claims about Khan's involvement in a tour alongside Democratic candidates before the coming elections. She is alleged to have attended events in key states, including Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Arizona, raising questions about the appropriateness of her actions given her governmental role.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan and Senator Mike Lee are leading the charge, addressing their concerns directly to Khan. They highlighted their discomfort with her appearance at these events, describing it as a political "campaign gauntlet" coming right before the elections.
According to their letter, reports of Khan's presence at these gatherings suggested a partisan intention behind her activities. The Republicans believe these meetings, held shortly before voters head to the polls, could create a perception of partiality on Khan's part.
The Hatch Act is a federal law that prohibits executive branch employees from engaging in certain political activities. The Republicans' letter suggested Khan's actions posed a concerning breach of this legislation.
Specific events cited by the Republicans include Khan's participation in a "fireside chat" with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi in Illinois that focused on pressing issues like grocery and healthcare costs. Additional concerns arose from her discussion in Wisconsin about the sale of county-owned nursing homes and a meeting in Arizona about housing costs with Rep. Ruben Gallego, who is involved in a competitive Senate race.
While these events were described by Khan and her team as part of her official duties, the timing and nature of these engagements have been flagged by Jordan and Lee as problematic. The FTC has so far declined any comment regarding these allegations when contacted by press outlets.
Internally, Khan's approach at the FTC has not only drawn criticism from Republicans. Her strategy and decisions have generated friction within the Democratic Party, with some supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris expressing dissatisfaction.
Khan's tenure as the FTC Chair is marked by her active stance against large corporations, particularly in fields like technology, healthcare, and retail. This has put her at odds with companies and provoked discussions about her leadership style.
She has voiced her concerns regarding industry consolidations, particularly in healthcare, during her Wisconsin visit, warning about increasing domination by a few players in critical markets. Her observations have become a point of dialogue amid the broader political debate.
The Republicans have also raised issues about how Khan has heeded—or not heeded—ethics advice provided to her in her role. Her decision-making processes at the FTC are under scrutiny, with claims of mismanagement potentially hindering the agency's ability to fulfill its mandate.
Alongside these ethical queries, Jordan and Lee have requested Khan provide extensive documentation related to her trips. This includes schedules, travel records, and any ethical guidance she might have received during her activities.
The letter emphasized their concerns about Khan potentially using her official role to subtly endorse or support Democratic candidates. Republicans argue that her reported disregard for agency guidance on maintaining impartiality is a key issue needing oversight.
