Decoder with Nilay Patel Decoder Live: Fired FTC commissioners fight back
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Apr 28, 2025 
In a riveting discussion, former FTC commissioners Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya share their experiences being fired by the Trump administration and their ongoing legal battle to reclaim their positions. They delve into the complexities of antitrust laws, particularly in relation to tech giants like Amazon and Meta. The duo highlights the precarious balance of political power in regulatory bodies and the implications for consumer protection and privacy in the digital age, underscoring the need for integrity amid corporate influence.
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Fired by Email Without Cause
- Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya were fired via plain text email without cause from Donald Trump.
- The email was informal with no signature, highlighting the abruptness and illegality of the action.
Legal Protection of FTC Commissioners
- FTC commissioners can only be removed for cause, established by a 90-year Supreme Court precedent.
- The Trump administration's firing without cause directly challenges this legal precedent.
Threat to Agency Independence
- Removing commissioners without cause threatens the independence of federal agencies.
- This destabilizes regulation of critical financial institutions and could jeopardize their very existence.