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Trump Fires Two Democratic FTC Commissioners in Controversial Move

The dismissals of Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, described as illegal by the commissioners, challenge Supreme Court precedent on independent agency protections.

A view of signage at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) headquarters in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo/File Photo
FILE - The Federal Trade Commission building is seen in Washington on Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
Alvaro Bedoya, commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission, during a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, DC, on July 13, 2023.
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Overview

  • President Donald Trump removed FTC commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, leaving the agency with a Republican majority.
  • The commissioners, whose terms were set to expire in 2026 and 2029, claim their dismissals violate federal law and Supreme Court precedent from Humphrey’s Executor v. U.S.
  • The firings are expected to face legal challenges and have raised concerns about the erosion of regulatory agency independence and accountability.
  • Critics, including the fired commissioners, accuse Trump of attempting to transform the FTC into a tool for corporate interests, undermining consumer protections and antitrust enforcement.
  • Alvaro Bedoya is scheduled to testify before the Colorado Joint House and Senate Judiciary Committees on March 19, where he plans to address the issue further.