The legality on non-competes is entirely a political question and has nothing to do with expertise. It should be decided by the political branch that writes the laws, which is congress. Whether you like it or not (and I don't like it) non-competes have always been legal.
> (quoting the article) "The FTC, which enforces antitrust laws and regulates competition"
The issue is that you are quoting an article and not the actual law. There is no law that says the FTC has blanket authority to regulate "competition".
It was originally created to enforce antitrust laws and prevent "unfair methods of competition"
Here's US code Title 15§45(a); note that the subsequent acts have broadened the FTC purview rather than curtailed it. Later clauses in the subsection limit the FTC's power for foreign commerce, and define "unfair or deceptive acts or practices" but do not define "unfair methods of competition":
(1) Unfair methods of competition in or affecting commerce, and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce, are hereby declared unlawful.
(2) The Commission is hereby empowered and directed to prevent persons, partnerships, or corporations, except banks, savings and loan institutions described in section 57a(f)(3) of this title, Federal credit unions described in section 57a(f)(4) of this title, common carriers subject to the Acts to regulate commerce, air carriers and foreign air carriers subject to part A of subtitle VII of title 49, and persons, partnerships, or corporations insofar as they are subject to the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, as amended [7 U.S.C. 181 et seq.], except as provided in section 406(b) of said Act [7 U.S.C. 227(b)], from using unfair methods of competition in or affecting commerce and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce.
> (quoting the article) "The FTC, which enforces antitrust laws and regulates competition"
The issue is that you are quoting an article and not the actual law. There is no law that says the FTC has blanket authority to regulate "competition".