WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Donald Trump terminated the positions of two Democratic commissioners at the Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday. Below is an overview of their backgrounds:
Alvaro Bedoya
Bedoya was appointed as an FTC commissioner in May 2022 by President Joe Biden. He is the founding director of Georgetown Law’s Center on Privacy & Technology and previously served as chief counsel of the U.S. Senate Judiciary subcommittee on privacy, technology, and the law. Bedoya emphasized in his statement regarding his dismissal that the FTC has worked to benefit individuals regardless of their political affiliations or views on Washington. His FTC biography highlights his efforts in passing legislation to curb the misuse of facial recognition technology and prevent the unchecked sharing of individuals’ data with national security and law enforcement entities. Bedoya’s work in privacy has particularly addressed the needs of marginalized religious and ethnic groups. A naturalized citizen from Peru, Bedoya holds degrees from Harvard University and Yale Law School, and has practiced law at Wilmer, Cutler, Pickering, Hale & Dorr.
Rebecca Kelly Slaughter
Slaughter joined the FTC in May 2018 during President Trump’s first term. Prior to her role at the FTC, she served as chief counsel to Democratic leader Senator Charles Schumer. Slaughter is known for her vocal advocacy against the increasing threats to competition and the widespread exploitation of consumer data. In her response to her termination, she stressed the importance of the FTC’s independence and the bipartisan nature of its commissioners in serving the American people effectively. Before her government service, Slaughter practiced law at Sidley Austin. She holds an undergraduate degree from Yale University and a law degree from Yale Law School.
(Reporting by Chris Sanders; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
