In a controversial move, U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed two Democratic commissioners from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), an independent agency tasked with preventing unfair business practices. The decision has drawn accusations of political interference, with one of the ousted officials, Alvaro Bedoya, calling it “corruption, plain and simple.”
Bedoya, who was among the five FTC commissioners, took to social media to announce his dismissal, vowing to take legal action against the president. “The FTC was founded 111 years ago to fight fraudsters and monopolists. Now, the president wants it to be a lapdog for his golfing buddies,” he wrote. Reports indicate that the only other Democratic commissioner, Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, was also fired, paving the way for Trump to reshape the agency with loyalists.
FTC’s Battle with Big Tech Under Scrutiny
The FTC, under both Trump and former President Joe Biden, has taken legal action against tech giants like Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta for alleged monopolistic practices. Despite the recent shakeup, newly appointed FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson assured in a February interview that cases against Amazon and Meta would proceed, reaffirming his commitment to holding “Big Tech’s feet to the fire.”
However, questions remain about whether Trump’s administration will continue these efforts, given the growing influence of tech billionaires in his political circle. Since Trump’s electoral victory, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made significant shifts at his company, including appointing Trump ally Dana White to Meta’s board and ending U.S. fact-checking on Facebook. Meanwhile, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has reportedly softened The Washington Post’s editorial stance on Trump and scrapped its planned endorsement of Democrat Kamala Harris before the election.
Billionaire Influence on Trump’s Administration
Trump’s close ties with tech leaders became evident during his inauguration in January, where figures like Elon Musk, Bezos, and others were given high-profile roles after making substantial donations to his campaign. The administration’s restructuring of the FTC, alongside the establishment of a “Department of Government Efficiency” led by Musk, has raised concerns over regulatory independence.
While the White House has yet to issue an official statement, the abrupt removals have sparked a legal showdown, with Bedoya signaling his intent to challenge the decision in court. Whether Trump’s FTC overhaul will shift antitrust enforcement remains to be seen, but the move has undoubtedly intensified political tensions over corporate regulation in the U.S.
