Trump Fires Two Democratic FTC Commissioners, Prompting Legal Clash

The dismissals of Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter challenge Supreme Court precedent and raise concerns over the FTC's independence.

President Donald Trump removed Democratic FTC commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter before their terms expired, citing executive authority.
Bedoya and Slaughter called the firings illegal, claiming they violate the 1935 Supreme Court ruling in Humphrey's Executor v. United States, which limits presidential removal powers.
The FTC now operates with only two Republican commissioners, raising questions about its ability to enforce consumer protection and antitrust laws effectively.
The White House argues the firings are lawful under Article II of the Constitution, while critics warn of the move's implications for agency independence and consumer rights.
Legal challenges are expected as the fired commissioners prepare to contest their dismissals in court, emphasizing the broader debate over executive power and regulatory oversight.