Trump plans to shut down the Consumer Product Safety Commission

President Trump is aiming to dismantle the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an independent agency safeguarding consumers from dangerous products. The plan involves shifting CPSC's functions to a new division within the Department of Health and Human Services. This move allegedly began with the firing of the three Democratic CPSC members without providing any justification. Commissioners are usually appointed for fixed terms and cannot be removed without cause. The firings are reminiscent of similar actions against Democratic members of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), who have sued the government. Commissioner Richard Trumka Jr. has also vowed to challenge his dismissal in court. The Supreme Court is currently deciding on the president's power to remove members of independent agencies. Eliminating or weakening the CPSC would likely reduce oversight of product safety, benefiting businesses. Companies like Amazon have previously criticized the CPSC, suggesting it is overly powerful. This action aligns with the administration's apparent intention to lessen regulatory scrutiny. The situation highlights concerns about the president's actions and their potential consequences for consumer protection.