Appeals court rejects Trump’s bid to fire Biden-appointed FTC member

A federal appeals court has reinstated a Biden appointee to the Federal Trade Commission despite President Donald Trump’s attempt to fire her.

A D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals panel split, 2-1, Tuesday as it restored a lower-court order that found FTC member Rebecca Kelly Slaughter was entitled to continue to serve on the board because federal law says commissioners can only be removed for “inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.”

Trump moved to fire Slaughter in March without citing any reason.

Judges Patricia Millett and Cornelia Pillard, both Obama appointees, joined in the ruling reinstating Slaughter. Judge Neomi Rao, a Trump appointee, dissented.