Trump illegally fires Democrats on Consumer Product Safety Commission

Published: Friday, May 9, 2025 at 8:58 pm

Trump Fires Democrats on Consumer Safety Commission, Sparking Legal Battle

President Donald Trump has once again found himself embroiled in controversy, this time for abruptly removing three Democratic appointees from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). This independent agency is responsible for issuing product recalls and regulating everyday items, including consumer electronics. The firings, which occurred without any stated cause, are being challenged as a violation of established Supreme Court precedent dating back to 1935.

The dismissals followed a vote by the three Democrat commissioners – Richard Trumka, Mary Boyle, and Alexander Hoehn-Saric, all Biden appointees – to publish safety standards for small lithium-ion batteries used in electric bikes and scooters. These batteries have been linked to numerous fires, resulting in dozens of fatalities and injuries. The two Republican commissioners voted against the safety standards.

The firings also come in the wake of a draft budget proposal that would have eliminated the CPSC and rolled its regulatory powers into the Department of Health and Human Services, a move that would place the agency under direct political control. The former commissioners have announced their intention to challenge the firings in court, citing the illegality of Trump's actions. Consumer Reports has also condemned the firings as an attack on the agency's independence.

This isn't the first time Trump has taken such action. In March, he removed Democratic commissioners from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), another independent agency. The White House maintains the president's right to remove executive branch employees, and the Department of Justice intends to challenge the relevant Supreme Court precedent, *Humphrey's Executor*, which limits presidential power over independent agencies. The Supreme Court has previously signaled a willingness to expand executive power, making the legal battle over the CPSC firings particularly significant.

BNN's Perspective: While the White House's argument regarding presidential power is understandable, the repeated actions of firing commissioners without cause raise serious concerns about the independence of regulatory agencies. The potential for political interference in product safety regulations is a worrying prospect, regardless of one's political affiliation. The legal challenges are crucial to upholding the established checks and balances within the government.

Keywords: Trump, CPSC, Consumer Product Safety Commission, firings, Democrats, Richard Trumka, Mary Boyle, Alexander Hoehn-Saric, lithium-ion batteries, electric bikes, electric scooters, product safety, recalls, Supreme Court, Humphrey's Executor, FTC, Federal Trade Commission, independent agencies, executive power, legal battle, product safety regulations

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