FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya Claims He Was “Illegally Fired” by President Trump

Alvaro Bedoya, a commissioner with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), made waves on social media after claiming that President Donald Trump had "illegally fired" him. Bedoya, who had served as an FTC commissioner since 2022, issued a public statement via the social platform X, where he expressed outrage over what he described as a wrongful dismissal.

In his statement, he framed his firing as a clear act of corruption, criticizing the president’s actions and raising concerns about the future of the FTC under Trump's influence.

“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 wrote.

"Now, the president wants the FTC to be a lapdog for his golfing buddies." With these words, Bedoya implied that Trump’s actions were motivated by personal interests rather than the integrity of the FTC or its mission.

Reports soon surfaced indicating that Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, the other Democrat on the FTC, was also fired. This raised further alarms over the politicization of the commission.

The FTC, which was established to promote consumer protection and prevent anti-competitive business practices, has historically been a bipartisan body, with commissioners serving fixed terms to maintain independence from political interference. However, the recent developments seemed to signal a shift toward partisan control, with potential consequences for the agency's future operations.

A White House official confirmed that both Bedoya and Slaughter had been dismissed but did not offer further details about the reasoning behind the firings. The decision has led to growing concerns among Democrats and watchdog organizations about the potential erosion of the FTC’s independence under the Trump administration.

The timing of these dismissals comes after several high-profile moments in which Senate Democrats raised concerns about the administration's influence over the FTC. Last month, Senate Democrats questioned Mark Meador, Trump's nominee to the FTC, about the agency's independence.

The questioning centered around fears that the Trump administration might exert undue influence on the agency's enforcement efforts, particularly in relation to antitrust cases involving powerful corporations. Meador, in his responses, emphasized that his role was to serve the American people, reinforcing the idea that the FTC must remain an independent agency led by a bipartisan commission of five commissioners.

Bedoya, who had been sworn in as a commissioner in 2022, expressed deep disappointment with the firing, calling it not only unjust but a clear example of corruption. "Whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat or someone who’s so disgusted with Washington you can barely watch the news, the FTC has worked for you," he wrote, reinforcing his belief that the agency should serve the interests of ordinary Americans rather than the wealthy elite.

Bedoya pointed out that his work at the FTC had focused on issues affecting the American people, such as workers' rights and technology tracking, underscoring the agency's role in holding powerful entities accountable.

The firing of Bedoya and Slaughter comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of the FTC’s independence. Since the start of the Trump administration, the agency has been embroiled in partisan gridlock, especially after the departure of former Chair Lina Khan.

Khan, a prominent advocate for stronger antitrust enforcement, had pushed for aggressive action against monopolistic practices, but her resignation created a vacancy and left the commission in a state of uncertainty.

Currently, the FTC has one vacant commissioner seat, with two Republican commissioners in positions of power: Chair Andrew Ferguson and Commissioner Melissa Holyoak. The agency's ability to operate as a fair and impartial enforcer of antitrust laws is now in question, as the recent firings suggest a shift toward a more partisan approach to regulation.

This move has fueled concerns that the FTC may no longer be able to function effectively as an independent watchdog, potentially undermining its ability to regulate large corporations and protect consumers.

As a former commissioner, Bedoya was known for his strong stance on protecting consumers and holding corporations accountable. He had advocated for policies aimed at regulating big tech companies and ensuring that workers' rights were not trampled by corporate interests.

His firing raises significant questions about the future of these issues under the Trump administration, as the president's actions seem to signal a preference for corporate interests over consumer protection.

In his statement, Bedoya promised to continue speaking out against the administration's actions. He indicated that he would testify before the Colorado Joint House and Senate Judiciary Committees on Wednesday, where he planned to elaborate further on the issues surrounding his dismissal and the broader implications for the FTC.

"Don’t be scared. Fight back," Bedoya urged the public, calling on Americans to resist what he described as the erosion of democratic institutions and the undermining of independent agencies like the FTC.

The impact of these firings on the FTC’s future remains unclear, but the developments have already sparked a fierce debate about the role of independent regulatory agencies in an increasingly polarized political environment. The agency’s mission to safeguard consumers and prevent monopolistic behavior is now at risk of being politicized, leaving many to wonder whether the FTC will still be able to act as an effective watchdog in the years to come.