President Trump has fired two Democratic members of the Federal Trade Commission, Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya, in a move that challenges the regulator’s traditional independence. The White House informed the two commissioners of their termination, which could potentially lead to a legal challenge. The F.T.C. was established by Congress to enforce consumer protection and antitrust laws, with typically five members on the board. The president’s party usually holds three seats, while the opposing party holds two.
Rebecca Kelly Slaughter expressed her belief that her firing was illegal, stating that the president terminated her position because he feared her voice and what she might tell the American people. This action by President Trump is seen as an attempt to assert the power of the presidency over independent regulators within the U.S. government. Traditionally, presidential appointees have had significant control over their agencies, but the Trump administration has chosen to disregard these protections.
This move by President Trump is part of a larger trend in which the administration is exerting more control over independent agencies. It remains to be seen how this decision will impact the F.T.C. and its ability to enforce consumer protection and antitrust laws. This story is still developing, and further updates are expected.
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