Lina Khan Strategizes to Expand Zohran Mamdani’s Mayoral Power Using Underused Laws

Lina Khan, recently appointed co-chair of New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s transition team, is exploring ways to maximize the mayor’s executive authority by leveraging rarely used laws already on the books. In an interview on Pod Save America, Khan said she is mapping out the full range of unilateral powers available to Mamdani to ensure his administration can fulfill its ambitious agenda focused on affordability and equity.

Khan emphasized her commitment to conducting a comprehensive legal audit of municipal laws and regulations that Mamdani could invoke without needing legislative approvals. This effort aims to bolster Mamdani’s ability to implement transformational policies such as free bus rides, universal childcare, and rent freezes on over a million rent-stabilized apartments. Given the governor’s stated opposition to tax hikes, which fund many programs, Khan’s strategy could be critical in circumventing political roadblocks.

Drawing on her experience as the youngest-ever chair of the Federal Trade Commission, where she revived dormant antitrust laws and took on corporate power, Khan plans to direct similar scrutiny toward municipal authorities like the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. She highlighted ongoing work on regulating algorithmic pricing, surveillance pricing, and curbing junk fees as part of Mamdani’s economic policy blueprint.

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Her involvement has stirred controversy among detractors like hedge fund manager Daniel Loeb, who criticized Khan as embodying centralized control policies. Nonetheless, supporters see her as a vital architect behind Mamdani’s progressive vision, using legal tools to circumvent entrenched interests.

As Mamdani prepares to assume office on January 1, Khan’s legal expertise and strategic planning will be key to converting campaign promises into actionable policies, potentially redefining the scope of mayoral power in one of the world’s largest cities.

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