Fired FTC Commissioners Sue Trump Over Alleged Unlawful Dismissals

Democratic commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter challenge their March 18 firings, citing Supreme Court precedent protecting independent agency leaders from removal without cause.

Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter filed a federal lawsuit on March 27, 2025, seeking reinstatement, back pay, and a declaration that their firings were unlawful.
The lawsuit argues that the dismissals violate the 1935 Supreme Court precedent in Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, which restricts the president's ability to remove FTC commissioners without cause.
President Trump’s administration claims that removal protections for FTC commissioners are unconstitutional and intends to defend the firings in court.
The lawsuit also names FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson, Commissioner Melissa Holyoak, and Executive Director David Robbins for actions taken after the firings, such as restricting access to offices and technology.
The case is expected to escalate to the Supreme Court, with potential implications for the independence of regulatory agencies like the Federal Reserve.