Republicans Take Command of the FTC

FTC Stands Under Republican Control

Following Mark Meador's confirmation as a Federal Trade Commissioner, the Republican party has solidified a 3-0 lead at the commission, handing President Donald Trump significant influence over an entity once known for its assertive approach to regulating business during the tenure of former chair Lina Khan.

The Dynamics of Commissioner Appointments

Typically, the sitting president's party occupies three of the five seats on the FTC, with the opposing party holding two. This typical equilibrium was upset when President Trump dismissed Democrat Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter in March, an action generally reserved for cases with 'good cause.'

The FTC operates similarly to the Federal Communications Commission, remaining an independent entity within the executive framework. New members are usually appointed as terms conclude, unless there is a compelling reason, such as wrongdoing or dereliction of duty, to oust a commissioner prematurely.

Executive Orders and Their Impact

In February 2025, President Trump issued an executive order aiming to tighten control over independent agencies under the guise of increasing 'accountability.' This order served as the main reason for dismissing Bedoya and Slaughter, both of whom have mounted legal challenges to contest their removal.

The Shift in Regulatory Stance

Previous actions by the FTC under President Biden’s administration involved taking legal action against corporations such as John Deere for unfair practices and conducting antitrust probes into tech giants like Meta, Amazon, Google, and Apple. With a Republican majority keen on supporting business interests, reduced opposition from Democrats is anticipated. Nonetheless, the legality of these recent actions remains questionable.