President Trump removed both Democratic commissioners from the Federal Trade Commission in a decisive move that sparked renewed debate over the agency’s independence. The decision came as the administration pressed forward with its plans to reshape regulatory bodies and assert greater executive control.
The two commissioners, long viewed as key voices on the commission’s Democratic bloc, were notified of their dismissal as the White House accused them of obstructing the administration’s economic and pro-business agenda. Officials argued that their actions undermined efforts to reduce regulatory burdens and promote market competition.
With the firings, Trump’s administration gains the opportunity to install replacements aligned with its priorities, a shift that could significantly influence the FTC’s direction in the coming months. The agency has been at the center of high-profile investigations into major tech companies, antitrust enforcement, and consumer protection cases.
Critics of the president’s decision claim the removals threaten the commission’s traditional independence and could set a precedent for increased political interference. Supporters, however, argue the action was necessary to ensure the agency operates in line with the administration’s vision for economic growth and free market principles.
The development adds another layer to the ongoing clash between the executive branch and federal regulatory agencies as Trump continues to challenge what he describes as entrenched bureaucratic resistance to his policies.