White House pledges to defend FTC firings in court
The White House on Wednesday vowed to defend President Trump's firings of two Democratic commissioners at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), stating the president has the legal authority to do so, contrary to the commissioners' claims.
“The time was right to let these people go, and the president absolutely has the authority to do it. And they were given ample notice in the letter that I believe your outlet reported on, so it pretty much explains exactly why this administration chose to let those individuals go," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a briefing when asked about the reasoning behind the firings.
The reporter then asked if the ultimate goal of the firing is an attempt to have the Supreme Court overturn the 1935 Supreme Court decision, Humphrey's Executor v. United States, that granted protections against a president removing members of the independent boards without cause.
"The goal was to let these individuals go. ... [If we have] to fight it all the way to the Supreme Court, we certainty will," Leavitt responded.
It came less than a day after Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter said they were wrongfully terminated by Trump. A White House official confirmed both commissioners were dismissed, but did not provide any further details to The Hill.
Bedoya, in a statement on the social platform X, called the firing "plain and simple" corruption.
“The FTC is an independent agency founded 111 years ago to fight fraudsters and monopolists. Our staff is unafraid of the Martin Shkrelis and Jeff Bezos of the world. They take them to court and they win,” Bedoya said. “Now, the president wants the FTC to be a lapdog for his golfing buddies.”
In the email sent to Bedoya informing him of his immediate firing, a White House employee cited the Humphrey's Executor case and argued the decision does not apply because the FTC has "exercised substantial executive power," Axios reported.
The official reportedly wrote Bedoya was told his continued service on the FTC is "inconsistent" with the Trump administration's policies. Axios reported the official cited Article 2 of the Constitution, which establishes the executive branch of the federal government.
It comes as Trump's FTC commissioner nominee Mark Meador awaits confirmation in the Senate. He was pressed by Senate Democrats over the independence of the agency late last month amid concerns the administration would try to influence the FTC's enforcement efforts.
The FTC is an independent agency led by five commissioners and focuses on the enforcement of antitrust law and consumer protection. No more than three commissioners can be from the same political party.
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