FTC chairwoman announces resignation

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairwoman Edith Ramirez on Friday announced her resignation, effective in February.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to lead the Federal Trade Commission and to have played a role in advancing American consumers’ ability to navigate fast-paced digital markets and promoting business competition across the economy,” Ramirez said in a statement. 

{mosads}“I thank my fellow Commissioners and all of the talented FTC staff for their support and dedicated public service during my tenure.”

Ramirez has served on the commission since 2010, and as chair since 2013.

The FTC’s sole Republican, Maureen Ohlhausen, is expected to take over as chairwoman in the Trump administration.

It’s unclear what direction the FTC will head under Trump, as the president-elect has surrounded himself with both free-market conservatives and economic populists.

Ramirez’s departure leaves three vacancies on the FTC, with just Ohlhausen and Democrat Terrell McSweeney holding spots on the commission.