In a controversial move that may alter the balance of power within the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), President Donald Trump has dismissed two Democratic members, Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya.
The decision, which is expected to prompt legal challenges, raises significant concerns about the independence of regulatory bodies, traditionally insulated from political influence.
This action follows a growing trend of attempts by the Trump administration to assert greater control over independent agencies, a move that could have lasting implications for consumer protection and corporate regulation.
Legal Challenges Loom Over Dismissals
The firings of Slaughter and Bedoya have sparked immediate criticism from legal experts and politicians, who argue that the move violates longstanding legal protections for members of independent regulatory agencies. Under a 1935 Supreme Court precedent, presidents are not permitted to remove commissioners solely over policy disagreements.
In response to the firings, Slaughter and Bedoya have both expressed their intent to challenge the decision in court, calling it an unlawful overreach.
“Today the president illegally fired me from my position as a federal trade commissioner, violating the plain language of a statute and clear Supreme Court precedent,” Slaughter said in a statement.
The legal battle will likely focus on whether Trump’s actions breach the protections granted to FTC commissioners. These protections were designed to ensure the agency could operate free from political interference. The outcome of the court case could set a crucial precedent for the future of independent regulatory bodies in the US.
Shifting the Balance of the FTC
The Federal Trade Commission, a five-member body, is tasked with enforcing consumer protection and antitrust laws. Traditionally, the commission is bipartisan, with three members from the president’s party and two from the opposition.
The recent dismissals disrupt this balance, leaving many to wonder how future decisions at the FTC will be shaped by political considerations.
Trump’s decision is part of a broader strategy to gain more influence over independent agencies. Following an executive order last month, Trump sought to tighten his control over the FTC, as well as other regulatory bodies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The order requires these agencies to submit proposed regulations for White House review and allows the administration to block funding for projects conflicting with the president’s priorities.
Critics argue that such efforts undermine the core purpose of these agencies, which were established to function independently of political pressures.
Rebecca Haw Allensworth, a professor at Vanderbilt Law School, expressed concern that politicising the FTC could weaken both its effectiveness and its legitimacy as a bipartisan institution.
