Fired FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter on Illegal Firing and Trump's Influence

Allegations of Illegal Firing

• ❌ Fired FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter asserts her removal by President Trump was illegal, violating the statute requiring removal only "for cause" (neglect, malfeasance, or inefficiency).
• 🏛️ Slaughter cites a 90-year-old Supreme Court precedent from FDR's administration that affirmed the FTC commissioner's protection against arbitrary removal.
• 🗣️ She believes the firing was an attempt to silence dissenting voices and prevent commissioners from speaking out about agency actions, particularly concerning the president's allies.

Concerns Over Agency Independence

• 🎯 Slaughter expresses concern that the firing sets a precedent for political interference in independent agencies, potentially impacting law enforcement without fear or favor.
• ⚖️ She highlights the FTC's role in returning $330 million to fraud victims and pursuing cases against large corporations, emphasizing the importance of unbiased enforcement.
• 🤝 The fired commissioner draws a parallel to the FTC's settlement with Facebook, where she disagreed with the penalty, underscoring the value of minority commissioners providing transparency and accountability.

Broader Implications for Governance

• 📉 The firing raises questions about President Trump's respect for the independence of regulatory bodies, including the Federal Reserve.
• 📢 Slaughter is prepared to fight the firing to the Supreme Court, viewing it as a crucial battle for the principle of impartial law enforcement.
• 💰 She suggests the president's actions could benefit corporate lawbreakers at the expense of consumers, workers, and small businesses.