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.
I’m sure going into the FTC, swiping their security fob and having it deny them entry would be a huge boon for their cause. If they’re asked to leave by security and they don’t they can be legally arrested for trespassing.
The same afternoon she was dismissed, Slaughter is out with an official statement and on the phone to multiple press agencies to get the story out immediately. Sure sounds like someone taking action to me. No doubt she will take them to court (likely the other guy will join her) but that doesn’t happen overnight, this was literally yesterday - best lawyer in the world would struggle to have an actionable case ready yet.
You’ll note that none of the above can be done if you’re still under arrest for trespass…