President Trump fired the only two Democrats on the Federal Trade Commission, prompting furious pushback from critics over the "illegal" move.

The dramatic purge appears likely to escalate a battle between the White House and so-called independent agencies that have long been criticized by some conservatives as an unconstitutional fourth branch of government.

Trump purges FTC

The Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency established in 1914. It has five seats, and currently, two members are Republicans.

Without warning, Trump fired the only two Democrats, Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter

“Your continued service on the FTC is inconsistent with my administration’s priorities,” an email to the officials said. “Accordingly, I am removing you from office pursuant to my authority under Article II of the Constitution.”

Trump's move leaves three vacancies on the commission, with one Republican already nominated by Trump and awaiting a Senate vote.

Fired officials lash out

Democrats have accused Trump of trying to empower the super-rich by taking over the federal agency, which enforces anti-trust and consumer protection laws.

The two fired FTC officials also condemned their firings as a corrupt power grab. They both said they plan to sue.

"The President illegally fired me from my position as a Federal Trade Commissioner, violating the plain language of a statute and clear Supreme Court precedent," Slaughter said.

Bedoya, who was appointed by Biden, said Trump wants the FTC to be a rubber stamp "for his golfing buddies."

“The president just illegally fired me. This is corruption plain and simple," Bedoya said in a statement on X.

Battle over executive authority

Trump's firings appear to challenge a 1935 Supreme Court precedent limiting the president's power over independent agencies. The Trump administration has called to overturn that case, Humphrey's Executor, which involved President FDR's firing of an FTC official.

Some conservatives currently serving on the Supreme Court have criticized Humphrey's, saying it steps on the president's legitimate authority to hire and fire.

The Republican chairman of the FTC, Andrew Ferguson, echoed the Trump administration's expansive view of presidential power in a statement on X.

"President Donald J. Trump is the head of the executive branch and is vested with all of the executive power in our government," Ferguson wrote on X.

"I have no doubts about his constitutional authority to remove Commissioners, which is necessary to ensure democratic accountability for our government," Ferguson wrote.