MicroWave

Trump fires FTC’s only two Democrats: ‘The President just illegally fired me’

https://lemmy.world/post/27028782

Trump fires FTC’s only two Democrats: ‘The President just illegally fired me’ - Lemmy.World

Summary Donald Trump fired FTC Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, the agency’s only Democrats, prompting accusations of illegal action. Both cited Supreme Court precedent protecting FTC commissioners from dismissal without cause. Bedoya warned Trump wants the FTC to serve corporate interests, while Slaughter said the administration fears accountability. The 1935 Supreme Court ruling bars presidents from removing FTC commissioners arbitrarily. Critics say the move undermines regulatory independence and eliminates opposition voices that could challenge Trump’s policies favoring major corporations.

Mar 18, 2025 at 11:25pmWeb
Show threadLupusBlackfurMar 18, 2025

Most blatantly and openly venal miserable and horrible attempt at an “administration” in the last 60yrs… Likely in US history.

Helluva legacy for you Chump! Good one!

🙄 🙄 🖕 🖕 🖕

Show threadvenoticMar 18, 2025
All that he's missing is a war America is involved in, not related to the trade tariffs. We'll find out which country he wants to go to war with soon.
Show threadGorditoMar 18, 2025
Canada, Greenland or Panama. He’s still deciding. Give him time it’s been a busy two months!
Show threadNJSpradlinMar 19, 2025
I wouldn’t be surprised if it were Central America, first. They already lack strong governments and global positioning. Especially with the cartels actively holding back progress.
Show threadaltasshetMar 19, 2025
Yeah, Panama also side steps the NATO problem.
Show threadgdog05Mar 19, 2025
That is one of my more annoying thoughts. In his child-like rampaging through the most powerful office in the world, he might accidentally do something good like wipe out the cartels or give support to a country that really needs it on the global scale. The cost will be extremely high. Like through the twisted Nazi experiments, we ended up learning a ton about mental health and brain responses that… Well, it’s probably the only way to discover some of those things. But the methodology is unthinkable.
Show threadCarmakaziMar 19, 2025
He may have some success in beating the cartels back, somewhat. But overall he’s not going to support any country down there, he’s going to send the military to bomb the fuck out of what little infrastructure they have, cause large amounts of collateral damage and death, and seize whatever is of value. We’ve already seen this playbook in the middle east.
Show threadgdog05Mar 19, 2025
I didn’t really do a good job in my comment. I meant fostering support by others, just like Ukraine. Against his whatever crazy agenda. But I totally agree.
Show threadMonumentMar 19, 2025

Playing this forward in my head -

The U.S. attacks Panama, who probably have some way of sabotaging or permanently disabling the locks, which are already struggling to keep up with modern shipping demands, despite the recent expansion. Under the weight of either the U.S. attack or the inoperability of the locks and resulting loss of income, the Panamanian government falters, and the only groups with money and a need for land with loose or weak laws is the cartels. The resulting instability may or may not spread to other countries, but the displaced people/refugees will directly or indirectly exacerbate immigration to the U.S. Within 15 years Arctic Sea ice has decreased to a point that the Arctic will be navigable in the summer. Within 50, during the winter, as well. If not sooner, if the U.S.’ attempts to roll back climate policies are successful.

All in all, a losing proposition in the short and long term. Trump’s kind of “deal.”

Show threadRivalarrivalMar 19, 2025
He already did.
The Alien Enemies Act: President Trump has invoked a 1798 law for deportations

The U.S. deported hundreds of immigrants after President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act for the first time since World War II. Trump used the sweeping powers of a centuries-old wartime law to crack down on alleged members of a Venezuelan gang. The weekend deportations came as a federal judge issued an order temporarily barring them. The act gives allows noncitizens to be deported without the opportunity to go before an immigration or federal court judge. The Tren de Aragua gang originated in Venezuela, but the deportees were sent to El Salvador. The Trump administration agreed to pay $6 million for 300 alleged members to be imprisoned there for a year.

AP News
Show threadapplebuschMar 19, 2025
Here in America we have great wars, the best wars, possibly ever. We do war so well we fight on both sides, and we always win. We’re so good at war, we keep it civil. The most civil of any war, possibly ever.
Show threadTheObviousSolutionMar 19, 2025
The fact that approval ratings for Trump are still as high as they are while the approval for the only other far, far, far lesser evil you can vote, the Democats, is sinking, does not give me any hope whatsoever for the US, were I naive enough to believe that the next elections that matter could come soon enough or that they would still remain legitimate. The US no longer has a trace of Democracy except for the mask it wears, it is at the same or even lower level than Russia’s.
Show thread5C5C5CMar 19, 2025

I think it’s important to put it in context: the Democrats are hemorrhaging support from their base who thinks they should be doing more to resist this administration. That does not mean they are losing support in favor of Republicans.

Meanwhile Trump is only losing a tiny amount of support because his base is a cult of personality that worships him. They won’t turn against him until he’s hurting them so directly that they can’t rationalize it as somehow being Obama’s fault. But many of them are delusional enough that they will never abandon their fealty so matter how much he harms them.

Show threadTheObviousSolutionMar 19, 2025
Democrats hemorrhaging support despite that support not being in favor of Republicans is what already cost them the elections, and they are the sort to more easily fall prey to propaganda meant to dissuade them from participating.
Show threadRedditSucks88Mar 19, 2025
You went from 60 years to ever in US history lol.
Show threadLupusBlackfurMar 19, 2025

Sorry wasn’t more clear…

I’ve been alive 60+ years so 60yrs is “in my lifetime”…

The rest, I assume, is clear.

Show threadiamanoldguyMar 18, 2025
And nothing will be done.
Show threadinclementimmigrantMar 18, 2025
Just illegal, fascist things.
Show threadvenoticMar 18, 2025

administration fears accountability

Pfffft. That is so fucking bullshit. No they don't. They don't fear accountability or responsibility. This administration is lead by a 34-count convicted felon/rapist, a two-time impeached, failed businessman of a crook. What the fuck does he have to lose in terms of credibility that makes him think twice of the actions he's done?

Show threadearphone843Mar 19, 2025
He straight up admitted on air that the election was rigged, and there hasn’t been a peep from anyone
Show threadEmbargoMar 19, 2025
I had literally not heard of this so looked up the video. Fucking wild, man!
Show threadsaruwatarikoojiMar 19, 2025
He even praises Elon over it…
Show threadEmbargoMar 19, 2025
I’d seen that one and I understand how he could be referring to the Dems as “them” but the FIFA/Olympics one is more damning imo.
Show threadearphone843Mar 19, 2025

Yup. “They rigged the election and now I’m president again.”

So fucking nonchalantly too.

Show threadDragonTypeWyvernMar 19, 2025
Should be the other way around but whatever gets y’all in the militia
Show threadUltraGiGaGiganticMar 19, 2025
Shouldn’t be hard to prove then.
Show threadDragonTypeWyvernMar 19, 2025

Pretty hard when he controls the alphabets.

Weird how it’s only ever .ml jumping in against this, ain’t it?

A fascist/Russian stooge admitting on open mic that an American election was rigged by the oligarchy, and all of a sudden the “commies” demand proof in triplicate that American elections aren’t fair?

Show threadHacksawMar 19, 2025
Here is the clip. www.c-span.org/clip/…/5150039
Show thread10001110101Mar 19, 2025
He’s saying the dems rigged the election, so his second term is late enough to be president during the Olympics and World Cup.
Show threadHacksawMar 19, 2025

I love that when Trump talks all the conservatives come out of the woodwork to tell us “what he REALLY meant” even though his words are plainly obvious to everyone.

Oh maybe you can let me know how Musk did a perfectly normal gesture, it maybe it’s because he’s autistic so Nazi salutes are cool now.

Maybe you can tell me about how he’s doing big brain stewardship of taxpayer dollars and optimizing government efficiency and not butchering government institutions so they can give themselves tax breaks.

God you conservatives are just so gosh darned smart. Bless your hearts.

Show thread10001110101Mar 19, 2025
LOL. I’m not conservative or even liberal. It seems obvious he’s talking about the 2020 election to me 🤷. Yes, Musk and Trump are fascists, and yes they are destroying the US, and are probably going to cause unimaginable amounts of suffering.
Show threadDogWaterMar 19, 2025
Trying to entertain any other meaning for “they” (fifa, Olympics, Democrats, etc.) but it just doesn’t make sense any other way.
Show threadFlicMar 19, 2025
@earphone843 @venotic Might be worth signing this? https://www.change.org/p/demand-a-hand-count-audit-of-pennsylvania-s-2024-presidential-election There's a group called the election truth alliance who's looking into any numbers they can get hold of and finding weird stuff. Also Smart Elections.
https://substack.com/@electiontruthalliance
https://electiontruthalliance.org/
https://youtube.com/@electiontruthalliance
https://smartelections.substack.com/
Sign the Petition

Demand a Hand-Count Audit of Pennsylvania’s 2024 Presidential Election

Change.org
Show threadvenoticMar 19, 2025

Petitions don't do shit. What good are petitions going to do, with an administration that waives off such?

We need action and this isn't the kind of action.

Show threadFlicMar 19, 2025
@venotic @MicroWave @earphone843 they're not asking Trump. They're asking the boards of elections in three specific counties. I agree that petitions always feel pointless but you said nobody was doing anything - somebody is at least trying to do something.
Show threadvaultdweller013Mar 19, 2025
Sure he fears accountability, all profligates do especially when that accountability comes in the form of extreme violence. Ooh maybe we can give out loto tickets to decide who lives or dies, only two get to live one though one will get their legs crippled. Truly I need to stop playing New Vegas
Show threadjordanlundMar 18, 2025
Do what a Trump official would do, refuse to leave. What are they going to do?
Show threadDrusasMar 19, 2025
Earlier today, the DC police forcibly removed the employees of an independent agency after the employees called said police to get the illegal attempted-invaders removed.
Show threadDragonTypeWyvernMar 19, 2025
Then make them do that
Show threaddanc4498Mar 19, 2025
DEI?
Show threadneuracnuMar 19, 2025

Woke: Get illegally fired and act like you were fired illegally. Keep going to work. Let security block your entry. Argue that you still work there because the order to fire you was illegal. When you’re arrested, take the matter to court and get legal standing on the fact that your firing was illegal.

Broke: Get illegally fired and whine on social media about it.

Show threadpulsewidthMar 19, 2025

I’m sure going into the FTC, swiping their security fob and having it deny them entry would be a huge boon for their cause. If they’re asked to leave by security and they don’t they can be legally arrested for trespassing.

The same afternoon she was dismissed, Slaughter is out with an official statement and on the phone to multiple press agencies to get the story out immediately. Sure sounds like someone taking action to me. No doubt she will take them to court (likely the other guy will join her) but that doesn’t happen overnight, this was literally yesterday - best lawyer in the world would struggle to have an actionable case ready yet.

You’ll note that none of the above can be done if you’re still under arrest for trespass…

Show threadjjjalljsMar 19, 2025
I feel like if a democrat did something like this fox news et al would be screaming screaming screaming and there would be violent riots. Why is everyone else so docile?
Show threadLedericasMar 19, 2025
exactly this, FOX, all the MSM, russian backed grifters will all be railing the Ds.
Show threadClinicallydepressedpoochieMar 19, 2025
Oh, I get to say it this time. A dog can’t play basketball!
Show threadwhodrankarnoldpalmerMar 19, 2025
“Illegally fired” means you rolled over and resigned in response to a threat
Show threadpulsewidthMar 19, 2025

Its not like they can just keep showing up to work and the security keyfobs will keep working and the paycheck will keep coming.

That shit wouldn’t work at a Taco Bell I don’t see how you guys think it would work for a Federal Trade Commission officer.

Show threadwhodrankarnoldpalmerMar 19, 2025
Right, much better to just sadly vacate the building when threatened. If you do what they want, maybe they’ll be nicer to you.
Show threadNelotsMar 19, 2025

Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter said they’d been dismissed illegally and would sue to block Trump’s order. They also said they consider themselves still part of the FTC, though whether they will still have access to their offices and logistical tools like email going forward was unclear.

From a different, apnews article. Not sure what more you want them to do.

Trump fires 2 Democrats on the Federal Trade Commission, seeking more control over regulators

President Donald Trump has fired two Democratic members of the Federal Trade Commission, intensifying efforts to exert his administration’s control over independent agencies across the government. Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter said they’d been dismissed illegally and planned to sue. Removing them may free up more space on the five-member FTC for new commissioners loyal to the White House and its policies. The FTC is a regulator that enforces consumer protection measures and antitrust legislation. Its seats are typically comprised of three members of the president’s party and two from the opposing party. Commissioners are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. They serve staggered, seven-year terms.

AP News
Show threadcyphearMar 19, 2025
What if they were fired but kept showing up and being paid, then you just keep moving their desk and taking their staplers? Then get a couple of Bob’s to interview the entire staff after a few years of that. Oh, and make sure that any birthdays that get celebrated they have to pass their piece of cake to the next person and don’t get any themselves. Eventually “fix” the accounting error and just let things work themselves out.
Show threadrandon31415Mar 19, 2025

Biden: “I can’t fire a postmaster general who actively tried to sabotage the election against me in 2020 because it would be against the law.”

Trump: " I fired someone who SCOTUS directly said i can’t fire because some people openly bribed me"

Show threadpulsewidthMar 19, 2025
Hey at least they have the moral high ground - they’ll have a good view watching the country sink into fascism from up there
Show threadDragonTypeWyvernMar 19, 2025
Biden then preceded to fill the open slots on DeJoys board with DeJoy supporters btw.
Show threadLedericasMar 19, 2025
that was the wierd part he did.
Show threadwarbondMar 19, 2025
I’m not sure I buy into Dems being Republican-Lite, but through that lens Biden’s actions do seem pretty suspicious
Show threadAbsoluteChicagoDogMar 19, 2025
They’re both pro capitalism parties sponsored by the 1%, Democrats suck up social change movements to ensure they don’t challenge the status quo.
Show threadmacaw_dean_settleMar 22, 2025
Between what?
Show threadandros_rexMar 19, 2025
Or Biden and the 10k$ of student debt - which he buckled on basically immediately. Handouts to donors are okay, helping Americans isn’t.
Show threadpahlimurMar 19, 2025

This is a perfect example of why refuting bullshit is so much harder than generating it or spreading it.

The Biden admin tried several times to forgive debt and was stopped by every republican and finally the Supreme Court. They didn’t drop it, they were forced to stop by Republicans after repeated attempts. If they didn’t find a legal path to forgiveness, it could be clawed back easily in the future.

The Trump administration can do whatever the fuck it wants right now because Republicans are letting them with their overall majority.

Show threadBigMacHoleMar 19, 2025
And as Trump has shown us the Supreme Court has LOTS of Teeth so you BETTER listen to them!