Civil Rights Advocates Decry Illegal Firing of Commissioners at the Federal Trade Commission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: [email protected]

WASHINGTON — The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Media/Telecommunications Task Force released the following statement in response to the firing of FTC Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Slaughter:

“The Trump administration’s illegal purge of commissioners at our independent agencies continued this week with the firing of Federal Trade Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Slaughter. These firings violate both statute and Supreme Court precedent and remove all countervailing voices from the agency. Silencing opposition and stacking the FTC with partisan lackeys poses very real threats for everyday people across the country. During their time at the FTC, both commissioners served as important civil rights voices, seeking to curb corporate abuse of marginalized communities.

“The FTC was established by Congress as an independent agency with bipartisan representation to ensure fair enforcement of consumer protection and antitrust laws free from political interference. By removing commissioners based on their political affiliation, Trump has undermined the traditional independence of regulatory bodies, setting a perilous precedent that puts at risk their mission to safeguard the American public. This act is not merely a breach of democratic norms—it raises serious concerns about the separation of powers that have protected our democracy for generations.

“We are deeply concerned about the impact this decision will have on consumers, as much of our economy continues to move online, and on combating growing monopolies. Without the presence of the bipartisan slate of commissioners, the Trump administration’s FTC is certain to shirk its duty to protect everyday people’s access to housing, credit, education, employment, and public accommodations through robust enforcement of existing law against online discrimination; enforce unfair and deceptive practices in the data economy that hurt consumers and working families; and provide for algorithmic transparency and fairness in automated decisions. Without a balanced and bipartisan FTC, consumers across the country are bound to be harmed while private companies and tech billionaires grow their wealth without oversight.”

In February 2025, The Leadership Conference’s Media/Telecommunications Task Force shared its priorities with the 119th Congress.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 240 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

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