Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani Appoints Sam Levine To Lead Department Of Consumer And Worker Protection

In a move that underscores his commitment to championing the rights of workers and consumers, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has announced his appointment of Sam Levine to head the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. Levine, a seasoned alum of the Federal Trade Commission in the Biden administration, is poised to spearhead Mamdani’s ambitious pro-worker agenda, one that promises to recalibrate the agency’s role as a fierce consumer watchdog.

At a news conference in lower Manhattan, Mamdani lauded Levine as a fearless advocate, unafraid to confront entrenched interests. This appointment assumes significance, given Mamdani’s pledge to revamp the agency, doubling its budget to approximately $130 million and expanding its staff to tackle a wider array of bad actors.

Levine, in his new role, has vowed to empower gig workers, small-business owners, independent contractors, and consumers, ensuring they are cognizant of their rights and confident in the city’s government as a champion of their interests. His appointment has amassed accolades from Lina Khan, FTC chairwoman and co-chairwoman of Mamdani’s transition team, who described Levine as an extraordinary public servant dedicated to upholding the law without bias.