Amazon's attorney, John Hueston, opposed the delay, arguing that the FTC's staffing changes do not warrant a postponement and emphasizing the company's desire to proceed with the trial as scheduled.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is requesting a two-month delay in its trial against Amazon over alleged deceptive marketing practices related to its Prime subscription service, citing staffing shortages caused by federal layoffs initiated by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.

Cohen emphasized the urgency of meeting an upcoming discovery deadline while navigating budget restrictions that limit the agency's ability to purchase necessary court documents and travel for case preparations.

Judge Chun has requested the FTC to submit a formal written request for the delay by March 14, 2025.

This case is distinct from a related antitrust lawsuit against Amazon, which is set for trial in October 2026 and involves claims of monopolistic practices in online markets.

This request was presented during a status hearing on March 12, 2025, before U.S. District Judge John Chun.

FTC attorney Jonathan Cohen expressed that a lack of resources is hindering the agency's preparation for the trial, which is currently scheduled for September 2025.

The FTC has faced significant staffing losses and funding constraints, which Cohen described as 'extremely severe,' complicating their ability to manage the case effectively.

Later, Cohen issued a correction, asserting that the FTC is fully prepared to litigate the case without resource constraints, although he initially indicated otherwise.

FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson supported Cohen's clarification, reaffirming the agency's commitment to allocate necessary resources for the case against Amazon.

As the FTC races to meet the discovery deadline, they are also contending with restrictive rules on document purchases and travel costs, further complicating their case management.

The trial was originally set to begin in September 2025, with a discovery deadline approaching in late April.