Former FTC Commissioners Sue Trump Over Dismissal
In a significant legal development, two Democratic former members of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have initiated a lawsuit against President Trump, challenging his decision to terminate their positions within the agency. The plaintiffs, Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya, contend that their dismissal constitutes an unlawful overreach of executive authority.
President Trump dismissed the Democratic commissioners on March 18, disrupting the typical bipartisan structure of the consumer protection agency, which is generally led by three members affiliated with the president’s party and two from the opposing party. This abrupt action raised concerns about the integrity of the FTC’s independence.
In the lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, legal representatives for Ms. Slaughter and Mr. Bedoya argue that the president’s actions were without just cause and contravened federal law. They reference a landmark 1935 Supreme Court ruling, which established that the president cannot remove members of independent regulatory boards solely due to policy disagreements. The lawsuit asserts:
- “In short, it is bedrock, binding precedent that a president cannot remove an F.T.C. commissioner without cause,” the lawsuit states. “The president’s action is indefensible under governing law.”
The White House, while not immediately responding to requests for comments regarding the lawsuit, has previously maintained that “President Trump has the lawful authority to manage personnel within the executive branch.”
This lawsuit represents yet another chapter in the ongoing legal battles surrounding President Trump’s efforts to broaden the powers of the presidency. In recent months, over 50 court rulings have emerged, often temporarily halting various actions taken by the administration. These rulings have addressed a range of issues, from the administration’s aggressive deportation policies to the dismissal of civil servants.
