#federal-trade-commission

#federal-trade-commission

The Federal Trade Commission, like other federal agencies, posted a simple notice on its website at the start of fiscal 2026: "The FTC is closed as of midnight Wednesday, October 1, 2025, due to the lapse in government funding." What the notice did not say was that the announcement came during the year of a grim anniversary for the FTC: Forty-five years ago, it became the first government agency ever to shut down due to a lack of appropriations.

Chief Justice John Roberts let President Donald Trump remove a member of the Federal Trade Commission on Monday, the latest in string of high-profile firings allowed for now at the Supreme Court. Trump moved to fire Rebecca Slaughter in the spring, but lower courts ordered her reinstated after she sued because the law only allows commissioners to be removed for problems like misconduct or neglect of duty.

"The Rule's illegality was patently obvious,"

Commissioners Andrew N. Ferguson, Melissa Holyoak and Mark R. Meador said in a statement, "This case, which we inherited from the previous administration, was filed nearly two years ago and has suffered losses in two motions to dismiss." They cited GCU's "victory" over the Department of Education in its bid for nonprofit status, the department rescinding the $37.7 million fine and the Internal Revenue Service confirming GCU's nonprofit designation.

U.S. District Court Judge Loren AliKhan found the attempted firing of Rebecca Kelly Slaughter unlawful, affirming her status as a rightful Federal Trade Commission member.