To Combat Declining Staff Morale, FTC Chair Khan Lifts Public Speaking Ban as Deputy Issues Apology

Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, facing mounting concerns among her 1,100-plus employees about the agency’s direction and her governing style, on Thursday walked back restrictions that prevented staff from participating in most conferences and other public events. In an apologetic email, Khan’s chief of staff, Jen Howard, took blame for the unpopular policy, which was one of Khan’s first acts when she took over the antitrust enforcement agency a year ago, according to a copy of an email viewed by The Information.

“I deeply regret that I made people feel like they do not have our trust and respect. Nothing could be further from the truth,” Howard said.