Overview

• On March 27, 2025, Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya filed a lawsuit challenging their firings by President Trump, citing violations of the 1935 Humphrey’s Executor v. United States precedent.
• The lawsuit argues that their removals lacked cause, as required by law, and seeks reinstatement, back pay, and a declaration that the dismissals were unlawful.
• The Trump administration defends the firings, claiming removal protections for FTC commissioners are unconstitutional and asserting executive authority over independent agencies.
• The firings leave the FTC with only two Republican commissioners, raising concerns about its ability to enforce antitrust laws and protect consumers effectively.
• The case is expected to escalate to the Supreme Court, potentially reshaping the balance of power between the executive branch and independent regulatory agencies like the Federal Reserve.