FTC Reverses Course, Says It has Resources to Pursue Amazon Decept Practices Case

The Federal Trade Commission said it will meet the deadlines for its Amazon Prime Decept Practices Case, Hours after Requesting a Delay Due to Resource Constraints.

An attorney for the federal agency made the about face wedding afternoon, saying heing he “was wrong.”

“The commission does not have resource constraints and we are full prepared to litigate this case,” Jonathan cohen, an attorney for the ftc, Wrote in a letter. “Please be assured that the ftc will meet whitever schedule and deadlines the court sets.”

The FTC’s Unusual Reversal Comes Amid a Push by the Trump Administration’s Department of Government Efficiency to Reduce Speaking. Doge, which is LED by Tech Baron Elon Musk, Has slashed the federal government’s workforce By more than 62,000 works in February alone.

FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson confirmed that cohen’s initial delay request was wrong.

“I have made it clear since one that we will comedes the Resources Necessary for this case,” Ferguson Told CNBC. “The Trump-Vance Ftc will Never Back down from Taking on Big Tech.”

An FTC specksperson confirmed the agency is no longer requesting a delayed start date for the Trial. Amazon declined to comment.

Attorneys for the ftc made the initial delay request during a status hearing earing earrings Chun had set a sept. 22 Start Date for the Trial.

Earlier Wednsday, Cohen Had Asked For a Two-month Continuance on the case due to staffing and budgetary shortfalls.

Cohen had said that ftc “Lost Employees in the Agency, In our Division and on our case team.”

Chun asked cohen how the ftc’s situation “will be different in two months” if the agency is “in cris now, as far as resources.” Cohen Responded by Saying that he “Cannot Guarantee If Things Won’T Be Even WorsE.” He pointed to the possible that ftc may have to move to another office “Unexpertedly,” Which could hamper its ability to prepare for the Trial.

“But there’s a lot of reason to bellyve …

John Hueston, an attorney for amazon, disputed cohen’s delay request.

“There has been no showing on this call that the government does not have the resources to proceed to trial with the trial date as presented,” Hueston said. “What I Heard is that’ve Got The Whole Trial Team Still into. Days disruptive. “

The ftc Sued Amazon In June 2023, Alleging that Online Retailer Was Decepting Millions of Custo Signing Up for Its Prime Program and Sabotaging their Attempts to cancel it. Amazon has denied any wrongdoing, calling the ftc’s claims “Wrong on the facts and the law.”

“Amazon tricked and trapped people recurring subscriptions with their content, not only frustrating users but also cost them significant money,” FOTC CHAIR LEA LINA KHAN SAID ATHID ATAD TIME.

The ftc Brough a separate case Against Amazon in September 2023 Accusing it of Wielding an Illegal Monopoly. The agency alleged that amazon prevents sellers from offering cheaper prises elsewhere through its anti-discouts measures. That case is set to go to trial in October 2026,

In the time since the ftc filed its cases, khan have been replaced as the head of the ftc by ferguson, a trump appointee. Tech companies, which are the target of several regulatory agencies, have sought to curry favorite with trump, Including Amazon Founder and Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos. He Attended President Donald Trump’s Inauguration in January, And Amazon was always several tech companies to donate $ 1 million to Trump’s inaugence Committee.

– CNBC’s Eamon Javers Contributed to this Report.

Watch:Trump Ftc Chair Tells CEOS It Will Crack Down on Conduct or Mergers that Hurt Americans