For ads-free news, click here.
From the New York Post: President Trump has fired both of the Federal Trade Commission’s Democratic commissioners, setting up a legal battle that will have major implications for a key bipartisan regulatory agency traditionally seen as independent from the executive branch.
The White House informed Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter of their dismissals on Tuesday, the Democrats confirmed in separate X posts. Both Bedoya and Slaughter called their firings “illegal” and vowed to challenge Trump in court.
The firings left FTC chair Andrew Ferguson and fellow Republican Melissa Holyoak as the sole remaining members of the five-person panel. Mark Meador, who was nominated by Trump to be the third Republican FTC commissioner, has yet to be confirmed by a full Senate vote.
Alvaro Bedoya, 42, was born in Lima, Peru, and grew up in New York. He was nominated by Joe Biden for the FTC seat in September 2021, and was confirmed by the Senate in May 2022, after Kamala Harris cast a tie-breaking vote.
Bedoya released a statement announcing he had been fired, and wrote, “I am a commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission. The president just illegally fired me. This is corruption plain and simple.”
I am a commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission. The president just illegally fired me. This is corruption plain and simple. My full statement: pic.twitter.com/12HPZsbLTP
— Alvaro Bedoya (@BedoyaFTC) March 18, 2025
Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, 42, was a longtime policy counsel to Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) before accepting the appointment to a Democratic seat on the Federal Trade Commission in 2018 during the first Trump presidency. Joe Biden then nominated her to serve a second term in February 2023.
Slaughter also released a statement, announcing Trump has now fired her.
“Today the President illegally fired me from my position…Why? Because I have a voice. And he is afraid of what I’ll tell the American people,” she claimed.
NEW: Fired Federal Trade Commission member Rebecca Slaughter hits back at Trump.
“Today the President illegally fired me from my position…Why? Because I have a voice. And he is afraid of what I’ll tell the American people.”@RKSlaughterFTC pic.twitter.com/Nf9MljU3li
— Niall Stanage (@NiallStanage) March 18, 2025
FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson released a statement saying President Trump has the authority to remove commissioners when necessary. He wished Slaughter and Bedoya well and thanked them for their service.
— Andrew Ferguson (@AFergusonFTC) March 18, 2025
Meanwhile, Slaughter jumped on CNBC for an interview about her firing.
“We don’t know what happens [to the FTC’s case vs. PBMs over drug prices].”
FTC is “in active litigation against all the companies whose CEOs flanked the president at his inauguration. We don’t know what happens to those cases.”
Just now on @CNBC, @RKSlaughterFTC on what… pic.twitter.com/GfdDV0x4ih
— American Economic Liberties Project (@econliberties) March 19, 2025
Democrat Rep. Darren Soto (Fla.) fumed over the firings, and insisted it will not stand.
Pres Trump’s firing of @FTC Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya & Rebecca Slaughter was unlawful & won’t hold up in court.
This is an independent agency that is tasked with protecting consumers. We need to keep them on the job to save lives & livelihoods. https://t.co/9W3zyCHSR1— Rep. Darren Soto (@RepDarrenSoto) March 19, 2025
Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter.)
The DML News App: www.X.com/DMLNewsApp
The Dennis Michael Lynch Podcast archive is available below, with the most recent on top. Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the show by downloading The DML News App or go to Apple Podcasts.
