Trump Fires Democratic FTC Commissioners, Challenges Independence

President Donald Trump has fired two Democratic commissioners, Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), raising concerns about the independence of regulatory agencies. Both commissioners claimed their dismissals were illegal, citing violations of a 90-year-old Supreme Court ruling that protects FTC officials from being removed without just cause. The firings allow Trump to potentially appoint commissioners more aligned with his administration's policies, further undermining the FTC's role in consumer protection and antitrust enforcement. Bedoya indicated he plans to challenge his termination legally, stating that the president's actions reflect an effort to diminish accountability at the agency. Slaughter emphasized that the dismissals could silence opposition voices within the FTC, impacting its oversight capabilities. Experts warn that this move could set a precedent for increased presidential control over independent agencies, potentially affecting various sectors of governance.