Andrew N. Ferguson is an American attorney serving as the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission since January 2025. Ferguson has been an FTC commissioner since 2024.[1] He previously served as solicitor general of Virginia from 2022 to 2024.
Ferguson then served as chief counsel for nominations and the constitution to then chairman of the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary,Lindsey Graham,and as senior special counsel to then-judiciary committee chairman Chuck Grassley.[2] He served as chief counsel to Mitch McConnell from 2019 until 2021.[2] In that role,he was leader McConnell's chief legal advisor and judicial confirmation strategist.[2]
In January 2022,Ferguson was selected by then attorney general of Virginia-elect Jason Miyares as the solicitor general.[4] He succeeded Michelle Kallen the following month.[5] He oversees the appellate litigation of Virginia and its agencies;represents Virginia before the Supreme Court of the United States,the Supreme Court of Virginia and the federal courts of appeals;and defends Virginia's statutes and regulations from constitutional challenge.[2]
In June 2024,Ferguson,dissented when the Commission issued a final rule banning non-compete clauses in most employment contracts.[9][10] In August 2024,U.S. District Judge Ada Brown issued a nationwide injunction prohibiting enforcement of the rule.[11]
In September 2024,Ferguson dissented when the Commission conditioned approval of the $53 billion acquisition of Hess Corporation by Chevron Corporation upon the prohibition of John B. Hess from the company's board.[12][13]
In October 2024,Ferguson argued in a partial dissent from a disqualification motion that the removal protections provided to the commission's administrative law judges are unconstitutional.[14][15]
Chairman
In January 2025,Ferguson was chosen by Donald Trump to chair the FTC,replacing Lina Khan,officially taking up the position following the President's inauguration.[16] His position as chairman did not need to be confirmed by the Senate,since he was already confirmed to serve on the Commission.[1] He has stated intentions to ease his predecessor's scrutiny of business mergers and acquisitions,while continuing critical oversight of big tech platforms.[17]
↑ Dissenting Statement of Commissioner Andrew N. Ferguson In the Matter of Chevron Corporation and Hess Corporation, FTC File No. 241-0008, 89 FR80563 (October 3, 2024)
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