Federal Trade Commission

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), established in 1914, serves as a federal agency enforcing antitrust laws and consumer protection measures in the United States. The agency's structure consists of five commissioners serving seven-year terms, with no more than three permitted from the same political party. The FTC shares civil antitrust enforcement with the Department of Justice's Antitrust Division. Operating from Washington DC's Federal Triangle, the FTC works through three bureaus: Consumer Protection, Competition, and Economics.

The agency's scope has evolved since its founding - initially focused on addressing monopolistic trusts, it received consumer protection authority in 1938 and industry-wide rulemaking powers in 1975. The FTC enforces consumer protection statutes, including telemarketing regulations and credit opportunity laws. Under Chair Lina Khan's leadership since 2021, the agency continues its mandate of market competition oversight and consumer protection through enforcement actions, research, and educational initiatives. The FTC's role in shaping market dynamics involves balancing consumer protection with business practices, while its effectiveness is evaluated through economic and legal analysis.