Unauthorized Firings at the Federal Trade Commission

President Donald Trump has taken the unprecedented step of illegally firing two of the five commissioners at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The ousted commissioners, Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Slaughter, were the Democratic representatives on the supposedly bipartisan commission that oversees the FTC. This move is expected to significantly weaken the FTC, which is responsible for enforcing consumer protection and competition laws.

In an interview with Gizmodo, Bedoya revealed that he was informed of his termination via email from the White House while attending his daughter’s gymnastics class on Tuesday. However, he emphasized that only the President can fire him, and only for specific reasons such as "inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance." The email, Bedoya claimed, did not provide any valid grounds for his removal.

Concerns Over Corruption and Collusion

Bedoya stressed that the implications of his firing extend far beyond his individual case. He believes that this move will harm the country by allowing Trump to exert undue influence over the FTC, paving the way for corruption and favoritism towards wealthy donors. Bedoya noted that several billionaires, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and Apple CEO Tim Cook, donated at least $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund and have been spotted with him on various occasions.

FTC’s Role in Antitrust Enforcement

As a commissioner, Bedoya’s role included reviewing mergers to determine their legality and potential impact on consumers, workers, and small businesses. He emphasized the importance of impartial and independent decision-making, free from political pressure. However, with Trump’s actions, Bedoya fears that the FTC will become a tool for the President’s wealthy friends, allowing them to push through mergers that harm consumers.

Bedoya’s Response and Next Steps

Despite the illegality of his firing, Bedoya has announced that he will not return to the FTC office. Instead, he plans to take action in court and testify at state-level committee hearings in Colorado. Bedoya wants to raise awareness about the companies that seem to be making deals with President Trump, including Amazon, which has made significant payments to the First Lady and licensed content from Trump’s productions.

Defending Trump’s Actions

FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson, a Republican, has defended Trump’s actions, stating that the President has the constitutional authority to remove commissioners to ensure democratic accountability. However, this move has been widely criticized as an attempt to undermine the FTC’s independence and pave the way for corruption.

A Pattern of Favoritism Towards Billionaires

The firings have exposed the Trump administration’s true priorities, which seem to favor the interests of billionaires over those of the general public. Despite initial expectations that Trump would crack down on large corporations and Big Tech, it has become clear that this administration is committed to serving the interests of its wealthy donors. As Bedoya emphasized, the focus should be on the companies that are cutting deals with President Trump, rather than on individual cases like his own.