Maureen Ohlhausen is President Trump’s pick to be acting chair of the Federal Trade Commission, the independent agency in charge of protecting consumers from unfair business practices.
Ohlhausen, the only remaining Republican on the panel, revealed Wednesday that she is Trump’s choice to lead the five-member agency in a statement on the FTC website.
“I am deeply honored that President Trump has asked me to serve as acting chairman of the FTC and to preserve America’s true engine of prosperity: a free, honest, and competitive marketplace,” Ohlhausen said. “In pursuit of that mission, I will work to protect all consumers from fraud, deception, and unfair practices. I will safeguard competition while preserving American innovation and promoting economic liberty for all citizens. Finally, I will ensure the commission minimizes the burdens on legitimate business as we carry out this vital work.”
Ohlhausen will replace Democrat Edith Ramirez, after Ramirez announced earlier this month that she plans to leave the commission on Feb. 10. Once Ramirez departs, only Ohlhausen and Democrat Terrell McSweeny will be left. McSweeny’s seven-year term ends in September.
Like with the Federal Communications Commission, Trump will have the opportunity to nominate new commissioners to fill out the five-member panel roster, but they will need to get Senate approval. It is unclear whether Trump intends to make Ohlhausen the permanent chair of the FTC, which will not require any Senate oversight.
The president is limited to having no more than three FTC commissioners of one party at one time.
Ohlhausen was sworn in as an FTC commissioner on April 4, 2012, to a term that expires in Sept. 2018.
