In a bold response to President Donald Trump’s efforts to dismiss them, three Democratic members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have vowed to contest what they describe as an unlawful attack on independent agencies. The commissioners—Mary Boyle, Richard Trumka Jr., and Alex Hoehn-Saric—are now officially designated as “former commissioners” on the CPSC’s website.

Context of the Dismissal

Reports indicate that the president took action to remove the commissioners shortly after the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, visited the CPSC. This visit coincided with the commissioners’ objections to the detail of two DOGE employees to the agency, as noted by Trumka.

Responses from the Commissioners

Mary Boyle and Richard Trumka Jr. received emails notifying them of their impending dismissal late on Thursday. Meanwhile, Alex Hoehn-Saric reported that he had yet to receive any notice but claimed that he was being restricted from performing his duties due to assertions about his potential removal.

“The illegal attempt to remove me from the CPSC happened immediately after my colleagues and I took steps to advance our safety work and protect our staff from arbitrary firings,” said Hoehn-Saric.

Trumka, emphasizing his commitment to his position, pointed out that his term extends until October 2028, and stated, “I will continue protecting the American people from harm through that time.”

Advocacy and Public Response

Consumer advocacy groups have voiced significant concern regarding the president’s actions. Courtney Griffin, Director of Consumer Product Safety at the Consumer Federation of America, labeled the dismissals as not only unprecedented but also as a threat to public safety.

“The illegal firing of CPSC commissioners is not just a brazen, unprecedented, and reckless assault on the rule of law, it is a direct threat to the lives and physical safety of Americans, especially our most vulnerable, infants and children,” said Griffin.

William Wallace, from Consumer Reports, echoed these sentiments, describing the situation as an alarming deviation from established norms in agency independence.

Looking Ahead

As the three commissioners gear up for what may become a critical legal challenge, they have made it clear they will not exit quietly. This scenario sets the stage for a potentially high-stakes confrontation at the U.S. Supreme Court, reflecting broader concerns about the independence of federal agencies in the face of political pressures.