During a recent government meeting, significant concerns were raised regarding the attendance and accountability of employees at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). A senator expressed frustration over the fact that over 80% of FTC employees reportedly work in the office only two days a week or less, contrasting this with traditional expectations of full-time employment. The senator emphasized that many American workers, such as steelworkers and truck drivers, do not have the luxury of flexible work arrangements and questioned whether the current work culture at the FTC is respectful to taxpayers.

The discussion also highlighted issues of oversight and transparency within the agency. The senator criticized the FTC for not responding to multiple oversight letters and accused the agency of being unaccountable. The conversation shifted to the actions of former Chair Lina Khan, who was accused of disregarding the advice of the designated agency ethics official regarding recusal from certain cases. The senator questioned the truthfulness of Khan's testimony before Congress, suggesting that she misrepresented her adherence to ethical guidelines.

Additionally, the senator raised alarms about the FTC's practice of deleting email accounts of former employees shortly after they leave the agency, which could potentially violate federal record-keeping laws. The FTC's current leadership defended this practice, stating that not all emails are considered federal records and that the agency follows specific guidelines regarding record retention. However, the senator challenged this explanation, arguing that it appears designed to obstruct congressional oversight and shield records from investigation.

The meeting underscored ongoing tensions between federal agencies and legislative oversight, particularly regarding employee accountability and transparency in operations.