FTC Independence and Antitrust Enforcement Face Uncertainty After Trump Attempts to Remove Commissioners Bedoya and Slaughter; Chair Ferguson Signals Action Against Social Media

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is currently facing uncertainty regarding its independence and the future direction of antitrust enforcement. Bilal Sayyed, former Director of the FTC’s Office of Policy Planning, highlighted that these issues, along with structural merger risks, will shape upcoming enforcement actions. The situation intensified after President Donald Trump attempted to fire FTC Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, who have both warned that such moves threaten the agency's independence and could negatively impact the U.S. economy. Commissioner Bedoya emphasized the importance of responding to this disruption, while FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson expressed support for both deal flow and robust antitrust enforcement. Ferguson also indicated potential antitrust action against social media companies that removed Trump's accounts. The ongoing tensions underscore concerns about politicization within the FTC and its ability to effectively regulate mergers and competition.