Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general to support two Federal Trade Commission (FTC) commissioners challenging their termination by President Trump. The commissioners, Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya, were removed without cause, according to an amicus brief filed by the attorneys general. They argue that the decision violates Supreme Court precedent and compromises the FTC's independence.

“A strong and independent FTC is not a partisan issue, it is an American imperative,” said Attorney General Bonta. “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 has been a key player in consumer protection for over a century. It protects consumers from scams and fraud while also recovering billions for those affected by unfair and deceptive practices. The agency, structured to be independent and bipartisan, consists of five commissioners serving staggered seven-year terms.

The dismissal of Slaughter, first appointed in 2018 and reappointed in 2023, and Bedoya, appointed in 2022, has sparked concern. The attorneys general claim the action breaches the Federal Trade Commission Act, which restricts removal to cases of “inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.” The removal disrupts the FTC's bipartisan nature and leaves it vulnerable to political influence, undermining its role.

Attorney General Bonta is joined by attorneys general from states including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, and New York, as well as the District of Columbia, in this legal challenge.

A copy of the amicus brief is available for public access.