Trump Fires FTC Commissioners: Legal Battle Looms

President Trump Removes FTC Commissioners

On Tuesday, President Trump dismissed Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya, both Democratic appointees to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

This action initiates a potential legal battle concerning a 1935 Supreme Court ruling.

The ruling in question restricts the removal of FTC commissioners to instances demonstrating “good cause.”

Commissioners Terminated

According to reports from The New York Times, the White House issued the termination notices earlier on Tuesday.

Rebecca Kelly Slaughter publicly denounced the firings as unlawful in a released statement.

Slaughter’s Response

“Today, I was illegally removed from my role as a federal trade commissioner,” Slaughter stated.

“This action disregards both statutory language and established Supreme Court precedent.”

Slaughter further suggested the dismissal stemmed from her willingness to speak publicly and inform citizens.

FTC Background and Prior Actions

The FTC, originally founded in 1914, generally operates with five members.

Its primary responsibilities include the enforcement of consumer protection and antitrust laws.

Throughout his administration, President Trump consistently challenged the authority of independent regulatory bodies, including the FTC.

This included efforts to limit the scope of their power and influence.

The dismissals represent a significant escalation in this ongoing conflict.