Trump fires all 3 Democrats on the Consumer Product Safety Commission

Published: Friday, May 9, 2025 at 6:17 pm

Trump Fires All Democratic Commissioners at Consumer Product Safety Commission, Sparking Legal Challenges

In a move that has raised concerns among consumer protection advocates, President Donald Trump has fired all three Democratic commissioners at the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The firings, delivered via overnight email, targeted Richard Trumka Jr., Mary Boyle, and Alexander Hoehn-Saric, who still had time remaining on their terms.

The CPSC, an independent agency established in 1972, is responsible for protecting Americans from dangerous products, issuing recalls, and providing safety warnings. The firings come amid reports that the Trump administration may be seeking to dismantle the agency, potentially absorbing its functions into the Department of Health and Human Services. This follows a pattern of Trump seeking to replace high-ranking officials at independent federal agencies, a practice that has already faced legal challenges.

The former commissioners, nominated by President Biden, have vowed to fight the firings, with Trumka Jr. stating he will "see him in court." They allege their removal is illegal, particularly in light of their refusal to comply with demands from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an informal group associated with Trump and Elon Musk. Trumka claims the firings were a direct result of their resistance to DOGE's efforts to install detailees and slash staff at the agency.

The CPSC's Acting Chairman, Peter Feldman, has stated that the firings are lawful, citing the President's authority to remove commissioners. However, the move has drawn criticism from consumer protection groups and lawmakers, who fear it could undermine the agency's ability to protect consumers. This is the latest in a series of actions by Trump to exert greater control over independent agencies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

BNN's Perspective: While the President has the authority to appoint and remove officials, the timing and manner of these firings, coupled with the alleged attempts to dismantle the CPSC, raise legitimate concerns about political interference in an agency dedicated to public safety. The legal challenges are warranted, and the outcome will be important for the future of independent agencies.

Keywords: Trump, CPSC, Consumer Product Safety Commission, firings, Democrats, Richard Trumka Jr., Mary Boyle, Alexander Hoehn-Saric, DOGE, Department of Government Efficiency, legal challenges, consumer protection, recalls, safety warnings, independent agency, dismantling, Peter Feldman, Donald Trump, Biden, executive order, government efficiency, product safety.

Full Story