Trump fires Democratic FTC commissioners amid allegations of illegal dismissals
- President Trump fired FTC Commissioners Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya, citing their continued service as inconsistent with his administration's priorities.
- Both commissioners plan to take legal action against their dismissals, claiming the firings are illegal under Supreme Court precedent.
- The firings raise significant concerns about executive overreach and the potential politicization of independent regulatory agencies.
In the United States on March 19, 2025, President Donald Trump dismissed two Democratic members of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya. This action intensified Trump's efforts to strengthen his control over independent regulatory agencies, which has raised concerns among lawmakers and legal experts about its legality. Both Slaughter and Bedoya claim that their terminations were illegal, citing past Supreme Court rulings that emphasize the independence of the FTC and require just cause for dismissals. Following Trump’s executive order aimed at increasing executive power over independent agencies, these firings were viewed as part of a broader strategy to reshape federal governance. The typical FTC composition includes three commissioners from the ruling party and two from the opposing party, which helps maintain a bipartisan oversight of trade matters. With the removal of Slaughter and Bedoya, the commission's balance has shifted, potentially allowing Trump to appoint new members supportive of his administration's priorities. Both former commissioners responded strongly, characterizing their removal as an act of corruption intended to undermine the agency's independence. They contested that their dismissals are not merely political disagreements but violate established legal precedents designed to protect autonomous governance. Slaughter and Bedoya vowed to take legal action, contending that their firings violate the statute and clear precedents set by the Supreme Court in the case of Humphrey's Executor v. United States, which restricts presidential authority over independent agency heads. The political backlash from these events was swift, with several Democratic lawmakers condemning Trump's actions. Liberal Senators, including Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar, criticized the firings as unconstitutional, claiming they threaten the integrity of the FTC's mission to protect consumers from corporate malfeasance. These developments highlight the ongoing tensions between the executive branch and independent agencies, raising questions about the future of regulatory oversight in the U.S. and the balance of power within the federal government.