Trump FTC Firings Spark Legal Challenges

President Donald Trump has dismissed two Democratic commissioners, Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), sparking controversy and legal challenges. The firings are seen as a move to increase Trump's influence over the agency by potentially replacing them with loyalists, thereby challenging the FTC's traditional independence. Both commissioners have labeled the dismissals as illegal, citing Supreme Court precedents that protect FTC commissioners from removal without cause. They plan to sue to block the order, arguing that the move undermines the FTC's role in enforcing consumer protection and antitrust laws. The White House confirmed the dismissals, while FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson expressed confidence in Trump's authority to make such decisions. Critics argue the firings could make the FTC more susceptible to political and corporate influences.