Hirono Condemns Trump Decision to Fire Democratic Commissioners of FTC

Sen. Hirono: “This illegal act is yet another example of Trump’s attempt to cripple government and get rid of any officials or agencies that stand in his way by following the law.”
WASHINGTON, DC– U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) released the following statement in response to Donald Trump’sdecision to firethe only two Democratic members of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC):
“Yesterday, President Trump claimed to fire two Commissioners of the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC is an independent agency, and Trump’s action is illegal under a unanimous 1935 Supreme Court decision.
“Trump is going after the FTC because it exists to protect consumers and small businesses against unfair, deceptive, and anticompetitive acts by megacorporations. In other words, Elon Musk and Trump’s other billionaire cronies don’t want anyone to stand in their way when they screw over consumers and small businesses.
“This illegal act is yet another example of Trump’s attempt to cripple government and get rid of any officials or agencies that stand in his way by following the law.”
The FTC serves as the federal government’s primary regulator of the tech industry and is responsible for overseeing antitrust and consumer protection laws. As a result of this decision, the FTC is now under control of the remaining commissioners, all of whom are Republican.
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