From the New York Times: A federal appeals court on Tuesday reinstated a Democrat who was fired by President Trump from the Federal Trade Commission earlier this year, dealing a blow to Mr. Trump’s monthslong attempt to permanently remove her from the consumer protection and antitrust enforcement agency.
In a split 2-to-1 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia said that the Trump administration’s attempt to block the commissioner, Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, from resuming her role at the F.T.C. had “no prospect of success.” The court said that Mr. Trump had fired her without cause rather than on the required grounds of “inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.”
In March, Mr. Trump dismissed Ms. Slaughter and another Democrat, Alvaro Bedoya, in an attempt to assert control over agencies that regulate companies and workplaces. A letter to one of the commissioners, which was reviewed by The New York Times, said: “Your continued service on the F.T.C. is inconsistent with my administration’s priorities.”
Mr. Bedoya fought the dismissal but resigned in June, citing financial reasons. Ms. Slaughter pressed on with her suit to resume her role at the F.T.C., saying she was fired without cause, and in July a federal court ruled in her favor. The Trump administration filed for a stay of that decision with the appeals court, whose decision on Tuesday rejected its arguments.
Slaughter gloated over her victory in a post on X Tuesday evening.
“Amid the efforts by the Trump admin to illegally abolish independent agencies, incl the Federal Reserve, I’m glad the court has recognized that he is not above the law. I’m eager to get back first thing tomorrow to the work I was entrusted to do on behalf of the American people,” she wrote.
Amid the efforts by the Trump admin to illegally abolish independent agencies, incl the Federal Reserve, I’m glad the court has recognized that he is not above the law. I’m eager to get back first thing tomorrow to the work I was entrusted to do on behalf of the American people.
— Rebecca Kelly Slaughter (@RKSlaughterFTC) September 2, 2025
Eric Daugherty of the Florida Voice News wrote, “Federal court RE-HIRES Democrat Rebecca Slaughter to the FTC, reversing President Trump’s firing of her. The judges are declaring themselves president. Unbelievable.”
“2 Obama judges to 1 Trump judge on this panel – the ruling was 2-1,” he added.
2 Obama judges to 1 Trump judge on this panel – the ruling was 2-1.
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) September 2, 2025
READ MORE from the New York Times.
Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter.)
The DML News App: www.X.com/DMLNewsApp
