President Donald Trump has dismissed the two Democratic commissioners of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, intensifying debates over the autonomy of independent regulatory bodies.
Both Bedoya and Slaughter have challenged their terminations, labeling them as illegal and citing violations of statutory provisions and Supreme Court precedents that safeguard the independence of such agencies. They have announced intentions to pursue legal action to contest their removals.
The FTC, responsible for enforcing consumer protection and antitrust laws, traditionally maintains a bipartisan composition, with no more than three of its five commissioners from the same political party. The recent dismissals leave the commission with a Republican majority, potentially influencing its regulatory direction.
FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson, appointed by President Trump, has defended the president’s authority to remove commissioners, asserting it ensures democratic accountability within the government.
This development has raised concerns among lawmakers and advocacy groups about the potential erosion of checks and balances within federal regulatory agencies. The situation is poised to prompt legal battles that could redefine the extent of presidential power over independent bodies like the FTC.
