WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representatives Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust, and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, released the following joint statement on President Donald Trump's attempt to illegally fire the two Democratic commissioners at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC):  

"President Trump’s attempt to unlawfully fire the two Democratic FTC commissioners is yet another direct assault on our democracy. Once again, Trump and his puppet master Elon Musk violate Congress’s laws and 90 years of legal precedent to carry out a partisan agenda as they continue their rampage of unchecked executive overreach.

"Just as alarming is the conspicuous lack of opposition from our Republican colleagues. Their silence in the face of this blatant power grab is not only an abdication of their duties, but suggests they only hold allegiance to Trump and Musk, rather than the American people they were elected to serve. It appears the GOP has willingly placed itself in the pockets of Trump and Musk, prioritizing the interests of ultra-wealthy billionaires over Americans.

"The FTC is one of the most crucial watchdogs for the American people, and today’s illegal decision cripples its independence. In 2024 alone, the FTC blocked a massive grocery store merger that would have raised prices for millions, eliminated junk fees from ticketed events, and fought to safeguard Americans’ privacy from corporate overreach. The agency secured lower prices for essential medications like insulin, EpiPens, and inhalers, making life-saving treatments more affordable. It cracked down on excessive corporate surveillance, defended Americans' right to repair their own devices, and fought against Big Tech’s monopolistic practices.  

"This unlawful activity imperils the FTC’s ability to stand up to corporate abuses and protect consumers. Trump and Musk want to transform a vital INDEPENDENT agency into yet another political plaything for their billionaire buddies as they continue to wage war on the rule of law itself, leaving Americans defenseless against skyrocketing prices, predatory practices, and the unchecked power of monopolies." 

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