Trump Fires Democratic Commissioners, Consolidates FTC Control

President Donald Trump has intensified his efforts to reshape federal independent agencies by firing Democratic members from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other boards. On March 18, Trump removed Commissioners Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya from the FTC, both of whom declared their firings illegal and vowed to sue for reinstatement. This action has raised concerns among Democrats in the Senate, who argue that it undermines the bipartisan foundation of the FTC, contradicts Supreme Court precedent, and could disrupt consumer protection efforts. The removals leave the FTC with only two commissioners, raising questions about its operational capacity. Critics, including the ousted commissioners, assert that these firings are part of a broader strategy by Trump to eliminate checks and balances within the government. The situation is likely to escalate as legal challenges are anticipated in response to the firings.