Trump Fires All Election Assistance Commission Members Ahead of 2026 Midterms
On July 9, 2026, President Donald Trump fired the three remaining commissioners of the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission (EAC), citing a recent Supreme Court ruling that allowed presidential removal of independent agency officials. The firings, including Democratic commissioners Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland and the resignation of Republican Christy McCormick, leave the EAC without a quorum. This disrupts the agency’s ability to adopt new guidelines or oversee voting systems, raising concerns about election administration and security ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
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Trump Officials Sought Ways to Sidestep Election Agency Before Firings
According to sources cited by Reuters, Trump administration officials explored methods to bypass the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) prior to the firing of Democratic commissioners. The firings, which included two Democratic members of the commission, prompted accusations from critics that the Trump administration was attempting to 'rig' elections. A Republican commissioner also resigned amid the controversy. The moves have sparked debate over the president's removal power and the independence of federal election oversight. Multiple news outlets, including The Guardian, DW.com, and Bloomberg, have reported on the story, highlighting concerns about political interference in election administration. Legal analysis from Lawfare discusses the constitutional implications of the removal power in this context.
Top stories - Google NewsAxelrod Warns of Election Interference After Trump Fires EAC Members
David Axelrod, a Democratic strategist, warned on Friday of potential election interference in the upcoming midterm elections following President Trump's dismissal of the remaining Democratic members of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) on Thursday. In a social media post, Axelrod stated that 'all the signals are flashing red' after the summary firing, highlighting concerns over the integrity of the electoral process. The EAC is a federal agency responsible for helping states administer elections and ensuring voting accessibility. The removal of its Democratic members has raised alarms among Democrats about possible partisan manipulation ahead of the midterms.
Just In NewsTrump fires remaining Election Assistance Commission members months before midterms
President Donald Trump ousted the three remaining members of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) on July 9, 2026, less than four months before the midterm elections. Democratic commissioners Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland were fired by email, while Republican Christy McCormick was allowed to resign. The White House cited the Supreme Court's recent 6-3 ruling in the Slaughter case, which upheld Trump's authority to fire FTC commissioners, as legal precedent. Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, condemned the move as a brazen attempt to seize control of elections. The EAC is an independent federal agency that certifies voting systems and administers election funds. The firings follow Trump's ongoing efforts to push the SAVE America Act, attack mail-in voting, and claim the 2020 election was stolen.
US Top News and AnalysisTrump Ousts Last Members of Bipartisan Election Assistance Commission
President Donald Trump removed the remaining three members of the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission (EAC), firing the two Democratic commissioners and allowing the Republican member to resign. The EAC, an independent agency created in 2002, is described as a crucial guardrail for election security. Trump's move is seen as an attempt to assert control over voting ahead of the midterms, causing confusion and alarm among election officials. Trump had previously issued executive orders requiring proof of citizenship on the EAC-maintained national voter registration form and blocking fund distribution to non-compliant states, both blocked in court. A White House official cited a Supreme Court ruling giving Trump precedence to remove individuals not aligned with securing elections. Without at least three Senate-confirmed bipartisan replacements, the EAC cannot lawfully make decisions affecting how Americans vote, according to NYU's Brennan Center for Justice.
TheWeek feedTrump Ousts Last Members of Election Assistance Commission
President Donald Trump removed the remaining three members of the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission (EAC), firing the two Democratic commissioners and allowing the Republican member to resign. The EAC, an independent agency created in 2002, is described as a crucial guardrail for election security. Trump's move is seen as an attempt to assert control over voting ahead of the midterms, causing confusion and alarm among election officials. Trump previously issued executive orders requiring proof of citizenship on the EAC-maintained national voter registration form and blocking funds to states without citizenship checks, but both were blocked in court. A White House official cited a Supreme Court ruling giving Trump precedence to remove individuals not aligned with securing elections. Without at least three Senate-confirmed bipartisan replacements, the EAC cannot lawfully make decisions affecting how Americans vote, according to NYU's Brennan Center for Justice.
TheWeek feedTrump Dismantles Election Assistance Commission Ahead of Midterms
President Donald Trump has removed all three remaining commissioners of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), effectively gutting the independent agency just months before the 2026 midterm elections. The two Democratic appointees, Thomas Hicks and Benjamin W. Hovland, were fired via email from the White House Presidential Personnel Office, while Republican commissioner Christy McCormick was asked to resign. The mass termination follows the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision in Trump v. Slaughter, which overturned a 91-year-old precedent protecting independent agency staff from at-will presidential firing. The White House confirmed the firings, stating the commissioners failed a loyalty test regarding election security. All EAC members will be replaced, but the process requires Senate confirmation, which could take an extended period due to current appointment delays under Trump's SAVE America Act. The EAC, created by the Help America Vote Act of 2002, assists states in election administration and voting procedures.
The New RepublicTrump Dismantles Election Assistance Commission Ahead of Midterms
On July 10, 2026, President Donald Trump removed the last three remaining members of the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission (EAC), effectively gutting the independent agency created by the Help America Vote Act of 2002. The two Democratic appointees, Thomas Hicks and Benjamin W. Hovland, were fired via email from the White House Presidential Personnel Office, while Republican commissioner Christy McCormick was asked to resign. The mass overhaul follows the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision in Trump v. Slaughter, which overturned a 91-year-old precedent protecting independent agency staffers from at-will presidential firing. The White House confirmed the terminations, stating the commissioners failed a loyalty test regarding election security. All EAC members will be replaced, but the appointment and Senate confirmation process could take months, potentially disrupting preparations for the upcoming contentious midterm elections.
The New RepublicTrump Dismantles Election Assistance Commission Ahead of Midterm Elections
On July 10, 2026, President Donald Trump removed the last three remaining members of the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission (EAC), effectively gutting the independent agency created by the Help America Vote Act of 2002. Democratic appointees Thomas Hicks and Benjamin W. Hovland were fired via email from the White House Presidential Personnel Office, while Republican commissioner Christy McCormick was asked to resign by phone. The mass overhaul follows the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision in Trump v. Slaughter, which overturned a 91-year-old precedent protecting independent agency staffers from at-will presidential firing. The White House confirmed the terminations, citing a loyalty test and the need to 'secure America's elections.' All EAC members will be replaced, but the process requires presidential appointments and Senate confirmations, which could take months due to current legislative delays, leaving the commission inoperative just before a contentious midterm election season.
The New RepublicTrump Fires Remaining Democratic Members of Election Assistance Commission
President Trump fired the remaining Democratic members of the independent Election Assistance Commission (EAC) on Thursday, the White House confirmed to The Hill. The two Democratic commissioners, Benjamin Hovland and Thomas Hicks, were removed, while Republican Commissioner Christy McCormick resigned. The White House stated that the President, as head of the Executive Branch, reserves the right to remove individuals from such positions. The EAC is an independent agency responsible for administering federal election guidelines and providing assistance to states. The firings mark a significant escalation in Trump's efforts to reshape election oversight bodies ahead of the 2024 election cycle.
Just In NewsWhat is the Election Assistance Commission With No Commissioners?
On July 9, 2026, President Donald Trump removed all three serving commissioners of the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission (EAC), citing the Supreme Court's Trump v. Slaughter decision. The two Democratic members were fired by email, while the Republican member resigned. This leaves the agency, established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002, without a quorum to conduct official business or set policy. However, the EAC staff, led by the Executive Director, retains limited authority to continue disbursing election security grants to states and certifying voting equipment under current standards. The article outlines the legal framework, the line of succession for remaining authority, and what operations can continue despite the lack of commissioners, emphasizing that the agency remains partially functional for routine tasks and existing programs.
Just SecurityWhat is the Election Assistance Commission With No Commissioners?
President Trump removed all three serving commissioners of the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission (EAC) on July 9, 2026, citing the Supreme Court's Trump v. Slaughter decision. The EAC, established by the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) in 2002, requires three commissioners for a quorum to conduct official business. With no commissioners, authority shifts to the Executive Director and career staff, who can continue disbursing election security grants and certifying voting equipment under current standards. However, the agency cannot adopt new guidelines, approve new voting systems, or conduct formal oversight. The article outlines the limited remaining authority and the legal framework governing the EAC's operations during this period.
Just SecurityWhat is the Election Assistance Commission With No Commissioners?
On July 9, 2026, President Donald Trump removed all three serving commissioners of the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission (EAC), firing two Democratic members by email and allowing the Republican member to resign. The White House cited the Supreme Court's Trump v. Slaughter decision as legal justification. The EAC, established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002, requires at least three commissioners for official business. With no commissioners, authority shifts to the Executive Director and career staff, who can continue disbursing election security grants and certifying voting equipment under existing standards. However, the agency cannot establish new policies or conduct official business without Senate-confirmed commissioners, leaving critical election administration functions in limbo.
Just SecurityAfter Thursday Night Firings, Election Commission Has No Members
President Donald Trump fired two members of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) on Thursday night, while a third commissioner resigned, leaving the federal election oversight body with no commissioners. The White House cited a recent Supreme Court decision allowing removal of officials from independent agencies as legal justification. The firings drew sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers Sen. Alex Padilla and Rep. Joseph D. Morelle, who accused Trump of undermining election integrity. The EAC, created by the Help America Vote Act of 2002, oversees voting system certification, the federal voter registration form, and election grants. The move coincides with Trump's push for the SAVE America Act, which would impose federal voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements. Any replacements must be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate.
Roll CallAfter Thursday Night Firings, Election Commission Has No Members
President Donald Trump fired two members of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) on Thursday night, while a third resigned, leaving the bipartisan four-member commission with no commissioners. The White House cited a recent Supreme Court decision allowing removal of officials from independent agencies as legal precedent. Democratic lawmakers Sen. Alex Padilla and Rep. Joseph D. Morelle condemned the firings as an effort to erode election trust and install partisan loyalists. The EAC, created by the Help America Vote Act of 2002, oversees voting system certification, the federal voter registration form, and election grants. The firings coincide with Trump's push for the SAVE America Act, which would impose federal voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements. Any replacements must be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate.
Roll CallAfter Thursday Night Firings, Election Commission Has No Members
President Donald Trump fired two members of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) on Thursday night, Chair Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland, while Republican commissioner Christy McCormick resigned, leaving the bipartisan four-member commission with no commissioners. A White House official cited a recent Supreme Court decision allowing the removal of officials from independent agencies as legal precedent. The firings are part of Trump's broader effort to control election administration, including pushing for the SAVE America Act, which would impose federal voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements. Democratic lawmakers Sen. Alex Padilla and Rep. Joseph D. Morelle condemned the move as an attempt to erode trust in elections and undermine independent oversight. The EAC oversees voting system certification, the federal voter registration form, and election grants. Any replacements must be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate.
Roll CallTrump Fires Remaining Election Assistance Commission Members Ahead of Midterms
On July 9, 2026, the White House fired the three remaining members of the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission (EAC), including Democratic commissioners Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland, and asked Republican commissioner Christy McCormick to resign. The firings were enabled by a recent Supreme Court ruling that overturned a 90-year-old precedent protecting independent agency officials from presidential removal. The White House stated the fired members will be replaced, but any new appointments require Senate confirmation. The move has raised alarms about potential White House interference in the upcoming midterm elections, especially given President Trump's history of making baseless claims about election fraud and his continued false assertions about the 2020 election. The EAC's fourth commissioner, Donald Palmer, had resigned earlier in 2026.
Forbes - BusinessTrump Fires All Members of Election Assistance Commission Ahead of Midterms
President Donald Trump has removed all remaining commissioners from the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission (EAC), the federal agency responsible for helping states administer elections and distribute election security funding. The firings, which occurred ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, have sparked widespread concern among election officials and voting rights advocates. Critics warn that eliminating the commission's leadership could create chaos and undermine election administration, particularly as states prepare for the upcoming midterm cycle. The EAC was established after the 2000 election recount controversy to provide guidance and support to state and local election officials. The move is seen as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to exert control over election infrastructure, raising fears about potential disruptions to voting processes and the integrity of future elections.
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