California Attorney General Rob Bonta has aligned with a group of 21 attorneys general to challenge the dismissal of two Federal Trade Commission (FTC) commissioners, Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya. The coalition claims the termination by former President Trump was unlawful and violated Supreme Court precedent.
Attorney General Bonta emphasized the bipartisan necessity of an independent FTC, stating, "A strong and independent FTC is not a partisan issue; it is an American imperative. Not only is the President’s illegal firing of the two Commissioners extremely concerning, but it is also illegal. That’s why my fellow attorneys general and I are filing this amicus brief in support of the Commissioners’ reinstatement and to ensure the agency’s ability to fully operate, free from political influence.”
The FTC, instrumental in consumer protection and antitrust cases, was structured by Congress to maintain independence through a bipartisan composition of five commissioners with staggered seven-year terms. However, the dismissal of the Democratic commissioners disrupts this balance. Bedoya, appointed in 2022 for his work on digital privacy, and Slaughter, reappointed in 2023, were advocates for consumer protection.
The amicus brief filed highlights the Federal Trade Commission Act's provisions that prevent the removal of commissioners unless for specific reasons such as inefficiency or malfeasance. The Supreme Court has supported these protections under the ruling of Humphrey’s Executor v. United States. The brief argues that their dismissal undermines the FTC's bipartisan framework, threatening its ability to function independently from political influence.
Joining Bonta are attorneys general from multiple states, including Arizona, New York, and Washington, among others, demonstrating a unified stance against what is seen as a politicization threat to the FTC.
Copies of the amicus brief are available for public access.