Washington, D.C., May 12, 2025 — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has ignited a firestorm of criticism after defending President Donald Trump’s decision to fire three Democratic commissioners from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on May 9, effectively dismantling the agency responsible for protecting Americans from hazardous products. The move, which critics have called reckless and dangerous, has raised alarm about the safety of everyday items like toys, cribs, and electronics, with some labeling the administration’s actions as “evil” and “inept.”
The CPSC, a small but influential independent agency, has for five decades enforced safety standards on consumer products, issuing recalls for dangerous items such as phthalate-laden children’s toys, unstable furniture that can crush children, and faulty jogging strollers. Just last week, the commission advanced a proposed standard to address deadly fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters—a measure now in jeopardy. Trump’s decision to fire commissioners Richard Trumka Jr., Mary Boyle, and Alexander Hoehn-Saric came after they opposed staff cuts and the integration of detailees from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Trumka warned would “gut” the agency.
During a Friday press briefing, Leavitt brushed off concerns about the firings, stating, “It’s a federal agency within the executive branch. The president has the right to fire people within the executive branch.” When pressed on whether the administration cared about keeping unsafe toys and cribs off the market, Leavitt doubled down, offering no substantive defense beyond asserting Trump’s authority. Her response drew immediate backlash, with consumer advocates and Democratic lawmakers accusing the administration of prioritizing political loyalty over public safety.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) condemned the move, stating on X, “The Consumer Product Safety Commission keeps our kids safe from dangerous products made by companies cutting corners. This Administration is keeping corporations safe—not you.” Consumer Reports called for the commissioners’ reinstatement, warning that dismantling the CPSC could lead to a surge in hazardous products. Posts on X reflected public outrage, with one user questioning, “Are they all evil or just inept?” and urging people to “demand accountability, NOW!”
Democratic senators, including Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), wrote to Trump on Friday, calling the firings an “illegal order” and urging reversal. The commissioners themselves have vowed to fight back in court, citing a 1935 Supreme Court ruling that protects independent agency members from arbitrary dismissal. Trumka, in a fiery statement, declared, “See you in court, Mr. President,” arguing that the CPSC was designed to be free from political interference precisely to ensure decisions about public safety aren’t swayed by “political whims.”
The administration’s broader pattern of targeting independent agencies adds fuel to the controversy. Since January 2025, Trump has fired Democratic members of the Federal Trade Commission, National Labor Relations Board, and Federal Election Commission, moves that are also facing legal challenges. Critics argue that Leavitt’s defense—resting solely on executive power—ignores the CPSC’s independent status and the real-world consequences of its dismantlement, especially for vulnerable populations like children.
While the White House may view the CPSC as a bureaucratic obstacle, the agency’s role in preventing deaths and injuries is undeniable. The lithium-ion battery standard alone could have saved lives, given the 20 deadly fires linked to such devices in the past year. Without the CPSC, oversight of product safety will likely fall to an already strained private sector, where profit often trumps safety. Leavitt’s dismissive stance raises questions about whether the administration fully grasps—or cares about—the risks they’re imposing on American families. As the legal battle looms, the public is left to wonder: if child safety doesn’t spur accountability, what will?
