I would not impose on you for a third time today unless it was particularly urgent.
This afternoon, Trump illegally fired the two Democratic commissioners on the five-member Federal Trade Commission — Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya.
Commissioner Slaughter had this to say:
“Today, the President illegally fired me from my position as a Federal Trade Commissioner, violating the plain language of a statute and clear Supreme Court precedent. Why? Because I have a voice, and he is afraid of what I’ll tell the American people. …
The administration clearly fears the accountability that opposition voices would provide if the president orders Chairman Ferguson to treat the most powerful corporations and their executives – like those that flanked the President at his inauguration – with kid gloves.”
Commissioner Bedoya said this:
“I’m a commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission. The president just illegally fired me.
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.
Now, the president wants the FTC to be a lapdog for his golfing buddies.
Together with Chair Lina Khan and Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, I spent my time at the FTC fighting for small town grocers and pharmacists and for people in Indian country going hungry because food was too expensive. I fought for workers getting screwed on pay and benefits and overtime. I fought for their right to organize. I fought tech companies who think they can track you and your kids every hour of every day so they can pocket their next billion.
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.
Who will Trump’s FTC work for? Will it work for the billionaires? Or will it work for you?
It was an honor to serve my country at the FTC. It was an honor to work alongside its staff.
And to everyone who is watching all of this unfold, don’t be scared. Fight back.”
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