President Trump Fires Democrat FTC Commissioners, Sparks Legal Battle
President Donald Trump took bold action on Tuesday, firing two Democratic commissioners from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)—a move that immediately triggered backlash and legal threats from the ousted officials.
Trump Cleans House at the FTC
In a sweeping executive action, Trump removed Democrat Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter from their posts at the FTC, signaling a major shift in the regulatory agency’s direction.
NBC News reported that a White House official confirmed the firings but offered no additional comment beyond the statement from FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson.
“President Donald J. Trump is the head of the executive branch and is vested with all of the executive power in our government. I have no doubts about his constitutional authority to remove Commissioners, which is necessary to ensure democratic accountability for our government.”
Ferguson, a Trump appointee, reaffirmed the FTC’s commitment to protecting consumers, lowering prices, and policing anticompetitive behavior—but without the influence of Biden holdovers.
“The Federal Trade Commission will continue its tireless work to protect consumers, lower prices, and police anticompetitive behavior.”
“I wish Commissioners Slaughter and Bedoya well, and I thank them for their service.”
Democrats Lash Out, Threaten Legal Action
The outraged Democrat commissioners responded immediately, claiming the move was illegal and promising to fight for their reinstatement.
Bedoya took to X (formerly Twitter) to vent his frustrations:
“I am a commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission. The president just illegally fired me. This is corruption plain and simple.”
“The FTC is an independent agency. This is an attempt to make it a lapdog for his golfing buddies.”
Rebecca Kelly Slaughter echoed similar complaints:
“The President illegally fired me from my position as a Federal Trade Commissioner, violating the plain language of a statute and clear Supreme Court precedent.”
Both commissioners are reportedly preparing to sue the Trump administration, claiming that FTC commissioners cannot be removed without cause under the FTC Act of 1914.
Is Trump’s Move Legal?
The Democrats claim illegality, but legal scholars argue that Trump’s actions are constitutionally sound.
The Supreme Court has ruled that the president has the authority to remove executive branch officials—particularly those who do not align with his administration’s policies.
This situation is strikingly similar to Trump’s 2017 firing of former CFPB Director Richard Cordray, another case in which Democrats attempted to shield themselves from presidential authority under the guise of agency independence.
Legal experts predict that Trump’s decision will ultimately be upheld, as the FTC is part of the executive branch—not a constitutionally independent body like the judiciary or Congress.
Why It Matters
This move is one of many sweeping executive actions Trump is taking to dismantle Biden-era bureaucracy and remove political operatives who undermine his administration’s policies.
The FTC has been a major battleground under the Biden administration, with Democrats weaponizing the agency against American businesses. Trump is clearly signaling that the era of partisan regulatory overreach is over.
What Happens Next?
- Lawsuits Incoming – Bedoya and Slaughter will likely file suit against the Trump administration, but the legal precedent favors Trump.
- New Appointments – Trump will soon nominate replacements, ensuring the FTC aligns with his economic agenda.
- Aggressive Oversight – The FTC under Ferguson is expected to reverse course on many Biden-era policies, particularly overregulation of tech and finance.
Final Thoughts
President Trump’s decision to fire these Democrat commissioners is a major power move, setting the stage for more sweeping changes across the federal bureaucracy.
The Biden-era holdovers are losing their grip, and the Deep State’s influence over regulatory agencies is crumbling—one Trump executive action at a time.
Expect more firings, more lawsuits, and more resistance—but also expect Trump to keep winning.
