Appeals Court Temporarily Reinstates Fired Democratic FTC Commissioner

A federal appeals court ruled 2-1 to temporarily reinstate Democratic Federal Trade Commission Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, who was fired by President Donald Trump, allowing her to resume her duties while her legal case proceeds. The court cited a longstanding 1935 Supreme Court precedent, Humphrey’s Executor, which prevents presidents from removing independent commissioners without cause, indicating the government's appeal has little chance of success. This decision marks a setback for the Trump administration's efforts to weaken independent watchdogs, including the FTC and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Slaughter expressed readiness to return to her work protecting consumers and emphasized that the president is not above the law. The FTC, a bipartisan agency enforcing antitrust and consumer protection laws, historically limits commissioners to a maximum of three from the same party. The ruling reinforces the legal protections for independent regulators that have been challenged by the current administration.