Melissa Holyoak, who previously served as a commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), has been chosen as the interim U.S. attorney for the District of Utah. The announcement was made by the FTC on Monday.
Holyoak’s Appointment and Departure
Holyoak was selected for the role by Attorney General Pam Bondi, marking Monday as her final day on the FTC commission. Before joining the FTC, she served as Utah’s solicitor general, bringing extensive legal experience to her new position.
Sworn in last year, Holyoak was one of two Republican commissioners appointed during the Biden administration.
Reactions from FTC Leadership
FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson, who previously held the role of Virginia’s solicitor general before joining the agency, praised his colleague. He stated that working with Holyoak for nearly four years—both as fellow commissioners and state solicitors general—had been “a blessing.”
Upcoming Commissioner Nomination
The vacancy left by Holyoak is expected to be filled soon. Ryan Baasch, currently an economic adviser to former President Donald Trump, is likely to be nominated for the seat. Baasch also has previous experience working in the Texas Attorney General’s office under Ken Paxton.
Earlier this year, Mark Meador, a partner at Kressin Meador Powers and former antitrust counsel to Senator Mike Lee of Utah, was confirmed as a commissioner in April.
Political Balance at the FTC
The FTC operates with a five-member commission, and federal law ensures that no more than three members can belong to the same political party. This rule maintains political balance within the agency.
In March, former President Donald Trump removed the two Democratic commissioners, an action that sparked legal debate. The U.S. Supreme Court is set to review the legality of this move in December.
The case is significant because it may challenge nearly 90 years of legal precedent that allows certain congressional agencies to function independently of the executive branch.
Melissa Holyoak’s transition from FTC commissioner to interim U.S. attorney for Utah marks a major shift in federal leadership and agency structure.
As new nominees step forward and the Supreme Court prepares to review a potentially historic case, the FTC’s political landscape and long-standing principles of agency independence may see substantial change in the months ahead.
