President Donald Trump fired Democratic FTC commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, claiming his constitutional authority. Both commissioners argue the dismissals were illegal and plan to sue, citing the FTC's intended independence. With their removal, Trump aims to appoint loyal commissioners, reshaping the agency's stance on consumer protection and antitrust. The dismissals have sparked controversy, with Bedoya labeling the action as corruption. FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson asserted Trump's authority to ensure accountability, but critics reference Supreme Court rulings that restrict such firings without cause, highlighting ongoing tensions regarding agency independence.
“The president just illegally fired me. This is corruption plain and simple,” Bedoya, who was appointed in 2021 by President Joe Biden and confirmed in May 2022, posted on X. He added, “The FTC is an independent agency founded 111 years ago to fight fraudsters and monopolists but now the president wants the FTC to be a lapdog for his golfing buddies.”
FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson, a Republican whom Trump designated for the role upon taking office in January, released a statement on X saying he had no doubts about Trump's 'constitutional authority to remove Commissioners, which is necessary to ensure democratic accountability.'
Removing Bedoya and Slaughter could free up space on the five-member FTC for new commissioners loyal to Trump and his priorities and policies.
The ousted commissioners pointed to past Supreme Court rulings that sought to solidify the body's independence and only allowed commissioners to be removed for cause.
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