Lawsuit Claims Political Firing Violated Supreme Court Precedent
New York, March 27, 2025:
Two former Democratic members of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya, have filed a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump. They allege that their sudden dismissal earlier this month violated long-standing legal protections meant to safeguard the independence of federal regulators.
Commissioners Fired Without Cause
On March 18, both commissioners received an email from the White House informing them of their immediate termination without any legal reason. According to the lawsuit, the email stated that their continued service was “inconsistent with the administration’s priorities.”
Slaughter and Bedoya argue that their removal goes against the 1935 Humphrey’s Executor v. United States Supreme Court ruling, which prohibits the President from firing FTC commissioners without cause. They claim that Trump’s decision undermines the independence of the FTC and other regulatory bodies.
Concerns Over Political Interference
The lawsuit also highlights growing concerns that Trump’s action threatens to weaken independent government agencies. Shortly after their dismissal, Bedoya took to social media and criticized the move, stating, “The president wants the FTC to be a lapdog for his golfing buddies.”
The legal complaint stresses that removal protections exist in several key agencies, including the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), to prevent political interference.
Interestingly, the lawsuit mentions that Trump’s email closely resembled the language used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the 1935 case that led to the landmark Supreme Court ruling.
Trump’s Legal Authority Defended
FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson, a Republican appointed by President Joe Biden in 2023, defended Trump’s authority to remove commissioners. In a statement, Ferguson said, “The President has the constitutional authority to remove commissioners from agencies that exercise substantial executive power.”
He further added, “While my former colleagues have the right to challenge their dismissal in court, I am confident that the President’s lawful powers will ultimately be upheld.”
Commissioners Seek Reinstatement
The lawsuit demands that Slaughter and Bedoya be reinstated to complete their respective terms. Slaughter’s term was set to end in 2029, while Bedoya’s term would have concluded in 2026.
Along with Trump, the lawsuit names Ferguson, Republican FTC Commissioner Melissa Holyoak, and FTC Executive Director David Robbins as defendants.
Contradictory Stance From FTC Chair
Interestingly, during his confirmation hearing, Ferguson assured the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation that he would respect binding Supreme Court precedent. However, following the commissioners’ dismissal, he publicly supported Trump’s constitutional authority to remove them.
