- United States
- Ohio
- Letter
The president's decision to fire all Democratic commissioners on the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is an alarming move that undermines the independence and integrity of this crucial agency. The CPSC plays a vital role in protecting Americans from dangerous and defective products by issuing recalls, enforcing safety standards, and holding manufacturers accountable. Terminating commissioners solely based on their political affiliations jeopardizes the agency's ability to function impartially and effectively. This action follows a concerning pattern of the president seeking to exert control over independent federal agencies, which are designed to operate autonomously from the White House. Recent attempts to give the president more authority over bodies like the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation threaten to erode their independence and objectivity. Independent agencies serve as important checks and balances, safeguarding the public interest from undue political influence. The president's actions undermine this system of accountability and raise concerns about potential cronyism or regulatory capture that could prioritize special interests over consumer safety and public welfare. I urge you to speak out against these firings and defend the CPSC's role as an impartial watchdog for product safety. The American people rely on the expertise and autonomy of this agency to protect them from dangerous products. Allowing political motives to dictate its operations puts countless lives at risk. We must ensure the CPSC remains independent, well-funded, and able to pursue its critical mission without interference.