A U.S. flag fluttering at the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) headquarters often symbolizes stability, yet the institution is no stranger to political storms. In the latest development, Democratic FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya announced his decision to step down, citing ethics rules, but vowed to remain part of a lawsuit challenging his dismissal by the Trump administration.
“I love this work, but I’m not being paid for it,” Bedoya declared on social media, emphasizing his priority to support his family during this period of uncertainty. His departure leaves the FTC under Republican control, signaling a shift that could reshape the agency’s consumer protection and antitrust mission.
Bedoya’s lawsuit, alongside another filed by former Democratic FTC Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, probes the legality of their terminations. These challenges confront a long-standing Supreme Court precedent safeguarding the independence of agencies like the FTC. A ruling against this precedent could ripple across regulatory bodies, impacting sectors ranging from road safety to telecommunications and monetary policy.
The legal battle mirrors a broader pattern of agency reshuffling under Trump’s administration. Earlier, the Supreme Court upheld the dismissal of Democratic members from federal labor boards, including Cathy Harris of the Merit Systems Protection Board and Gwynne Wilcox of the National Labor Relations Board, amidst ongoing legal disputes.
As Bedoya exits, his case and others like it may ultimately redefine the boundaries of presidential authority over independent regulatory agencies—a critical juncture for the balance of power within U.S. governance.
