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ARTICLE · 24 MARCH 2025

Changes In The Makeup Of The FTC May Impact Antitrust Policy

Mayer Brown
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On March 18, 2025, Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya, who hold the two Democratic seats on the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") were informed that President Donald Trump was removing them from the FTC. Both commissioners are contesting the dismissals.

United StatesAntitrust/Competition Law
Gail F. Levine
Gail F. Levine
Scott Perlman
Scott Perlman
Christopher Kelly
Christopher Kelly
Rachel J. Lamorte
Rachel J. Lamorte
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The upshot, for busy people:

  • On March 18, 2025, Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya, who hold the two Democratic seats on the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") were informed that President Donald Trump was removing them from the FTC. Both commissioners are contesting the dismissals.
  • For more than a month, the five-member FTC has been one Republican commissioner short, leaving Chairman Andrew Ferguson without a majority. As a result, he has only been able to advance matters with bipartisan support. The removal of Commissioner Slaughter and Commissioner Bedoya will allow Chairman Ferguson to act without the support of the Democratic commissioners.

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