Trump Fires Democratic FTC Commissioners, Sparks Legal Showdown

President Donald Trump fired two Democratic commissioners from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Tuesday, igniting a legal battle as both officials claim their dismissal was unlawful and vow to sue for reinstatement.

The commissioners in question, Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Slaughter, were part of the Democratic minority on the five-member FTC panel. While the White House has yet to confirm the firings, both Bedoya and Slaughter issued strongly worded public statements challenging the legality of the move.

"I'm a commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission. The president just illegally fired me," Bedoya stated on social media, accusing Trump of wanting the FTC to "be a lapdog for his golfing buddies." Slaughter echoed these sentiments, calling the decision a violation of both statutory language and Supreme Court precedent.

Not one to back down quietly, Bedoya added, "We are still commissioners. We're suing to make that clear for everyone." Well, that’s one way to put the ‘trade’ in Federal Trade Commission—trading barbs with the president.

FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson, a Republican who was initially appointed by President Biden and later elevated to chairman by Trump, defended the firings. "President Donald J. Trump is the head of the executive branch and is vested with all of the executive power in our government," Ferguson wrote, asserting that the removals were constitutional and necessary for democratic accountability. He also extended what might be the world's most lukewarm farewell: "I wish Commissioners Slaughter and Bedoya well, and I thank them for their service." Translation: don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

These FTC dismissals are just the latest salvo in Trump’s ongoing tug-of-war over executive authority. His administration has faced a barrage of lawsuits from former federal employees, along with pushback from federal judges who seem determined to rein in his sweeping efforts.

Last week, U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg issued a 14-day restraining order to halt Trump’s controversial deportation plan targeting Tren de Aragua gang members. The administration had invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to justify the deportations—a legal maneuver that sounds more like a history class flashback than contemporary policymaking.

Meanwhile, Trump’s collaboration with Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—yes, that’s a real thing—has added fuel to the fire, spawning a slew of legal challenges aimed at his attempts to streamline the federal government.

The drama surrounding these firings and lawsuits underscores the high stakes of Trump’s aggressive leadership style. Whether you see it as bold reform or reckless overreach, one thing is clear: there’s never a dull moment in the Trump administration.