UnidosUS Alarmed by Firing of FTC Commissioners Bedoya and Slaughter

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WASHINGTON, DC — In response to the Trump administration’s dismissal of Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, two commissioners appointed by then-President Biden to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), an independent regulatory agency known for its bipartisan nature for over 100 years, UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía issued the following statement:    

“We are alarmed by this latest illegal action and abuse of power from the Trump administration as it strikes at the heart of regulatory independence, which is central to consumer protection and fair competition in our economy. These firings are an attack on bipartisan representation in independent agencies and undermine the FTC’s vital work to protect Americans against unfair business practices, such as fraud and scams, regardless of which party leads the executive branch of government.   

“Commissioners Bedoya and Slaughter are dedicated public servants who have championed essential privacy protections and worked to address discrimination in the marketplace that affects Latinos and other communities. Their abrupt and completely unjustified removal, which should and will be challenged in court, threatens to silence essential diverse perspectives at a time when independent oversight has never been more critical, and risks increased corruption, fraud and unchecked exposure to scams for everyone.  

“We commend Commissioners Bedoya and Slaughter in their commitment to enforce the law ‘without fear or favor.’ We will continue to advocate for an FTC that represents and defends the interests of all communities, including the more than 64 million Latinos who contribute daily to our nation’s prosperity.” 

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