The United States is witnessing a significant struggle between “the rule of law versus the rule of billionaires,” as warned by a senior Democratic government official and attorney who was dismissed unexpectedly by Donald Trump.
Alvaro Bedoya, who was abruptly fired from his position as a commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) last week, has raised a “blinking red alarm” about potential backroom “quid pro quo” dealings that appear to be occurring within the Trump administration.
Bedoya and his colleague, commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, both Democrats, were fired from the FTC, a top antitrust watchdog in Washington. Both have taken legal action against the administration, arguing that their dismissals were unlawful.
In an interview with the Guardian, Bedoya expressed his concern that his termination could be a sign of growing billionaire influence over the federal government. He emphasized that this issue is not simply about political ideology but about a conflict between the rule of law and the rule of billionaires.
Typically, independent and bipartisan agencies like the FTC are protected from direct control by the White House. However, Bedoya has accused Trump of wanting the FTC to serve as a loyal instrument for his political allies.
Bedoya was involved in several cases against Amazon at the FTC, including allegations of the company retaining children’s voice data despite parental objections and imposing unfair pricing schemes on small businesses. Amazon’s founder, Jeff Bezos, has ties to Trump, including a donation of $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund and a deal involving a documentary about Melania Trump.
Bedoya warns of potential corruption and the possibility of corporate pardons, especially considering the nomination of an Amazon safety executive to lead the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
He also pointed out that the corrupting influence of money in politics goes beyond one party, citing ongoing corruption allegations surrounding New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, and the Department of Justice’s attempt to dismiss charges against him.
Bedoya believes that the influence of billionaires will become increasingly obvious, prompting more people to recognize the corruption within the US government. He spoke at a rally hosted by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, which attracted a diverse audience from different political affiliations.
Meanwhile, the White House Assistant Press Secretary, Taylor Rogers, dismissed Bedoya’s claims and stated that President Trump has the authority to manage personnel within the executive branch. An Amazon spokesperson also defended the company, stating that they provide basic first-aid items to employees and that injury rates have declined since 2019.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/28/trump-firings-ftc-alvaro-bedoya
