Fired members of Federal Trade Commission confirmed to be Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter

Summary

Donald Trump fired FTC Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, the agency’s only Democrats, prompting accusations of illegal action.

Both cited Supreme Court precedent protecting FTC commissioners from dismissal without cause. Bedoya warned Trump wants the FTC to serve corporate interests, while Slaughter said the administration fears accountability.

The 1935 Supreme Court ruling bars presidents from removing FTC commissioners arbitrarily.

Critics say the move undermines regulatory independence and eliminates opposition voices that could challenge Trump’s policies favoring major corporations.

  • Phoenixz@lemmy.ca
    191·
    12 hours ago

    Enjoy your tiered internet, US citizens! Want to access cnn.com? That’s in the special site, requires the premium package of 150/month extra but we’ll throw in free reddit.com…

    • Girru00@lemmy.world
      71·
      3 hours ago

      Hey bud, FTC, not FCC. Both woulf be bad but this might be worse.

      FTC website (current 20250319)

      The Commission is headed by five Commissioners, nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, each serving a seven-year term. No more than three Commissioners can be of the same political party. The President chooses one Commissioner to act as Chair.

      FTC website (current 20250319)

      The FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection stops unfair, deceptive and fraudulent business practices by collecting reports from consumers and conducting investigations, suing companies and people that break the law, developing rules to maintain a fair marketplace, and educating consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities.