Trump Fires Remaining Election Assistance Commission Members Ahead of 2026 Midterms
On July 9-10, 2026, President Donald Trump removed the three remaining members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), firing Democratic commissioners Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland and accepting Republican Christy McCormick’s resignation. Citing a recent Supreme Court ruling, the White House asserted authority over the independent agency, which certifies voting systems and administers federal election funds. The firings leave the EAC without a quorum, paralyzing decision-making just months before the midterm elections, sparking widespread alarm over potential partisan interference in election security and administration.
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Trump Fires Democratic Election Commission Members, Raising Midterm Interference Fears
President Trump has fired the remaining two Democratic members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), a bipartisan body overseeing election administration, while allowing a Republican member to resign. The move, occurring just over a week after a Supreme Court decision, has sparked concerns that the White House is attempting to interfere with the upcoming November midterm elections. Critics argue the firings undermine the commission's bipartisan balance and could lead to partisan manipulation of election standards and funding. The EAC is responsible for distributing federal election funds and developing voting system guidelines. The firings leave the commission without a quorum, potentially paralyzing its operations during a critical election period.
Just In NewsTrump Removes Election Commission Leadership Ahead of 2026 Midterms
President Donald Trump removed the remaining members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) on July 10, 2026, leaving the independent agency without any sitting commissioners just months before the midterm elections. Democratic commissioners Benjamin Hovland and Thomas Hicks were fired, while Republican commissioner Christy McCormick resigned. The White House cited the Slaughter decision as legal precedent for the removals. The EAC oversees federal voting system certification, election administration programs, and distribution of federal election grants. While career staff can continue day-to-day operations, the absence of commissioners could slow decisions on voting system standards, certifications, and other matters requiring formal votes. The action follows the commission's refusal to require documentary proof of citizenship on federal voter registration forms, which Trump had called for in a March 2025 executive order later blocked by a federal judge. Senator Mark Warner condemned the move as an 'extraordinary step' raising concerns about political interference in election institutions.
Government Executive - All ContentTrump Removes Election Commission Leadership Ahead of 2026 Midterms
President Donald Trump removed the remaining members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) on July 10, 2026, leaving the independent agency without any sitting commissioners just months before the midterm elections. Democratic commissioners Benjamin Hovland and Thomas Hicks were fired, while Republican commissioner Christy McCormick resigned. The White House cited the Slaughter decision as legal precedent for the removals. The EAC oversees federal voting system certification, election administration programs, and federal election grants. While career staff can continue day-to-day operations, the absence of commissioners complicates actions requiring formal votes, potentially slowing decisions on voting technology standards and certifications. The move follows the commission's refusal to require documentary proof of citizenship on voter registration forms, which Trump had ordered in a March 2025 executive order later blocked by a federal judge. Senator Mark Warner condemned the action as an 'extraordinary step' raising concerns about political interference in election institutions.
Government Executive - All ContentTrump Removes Election Commission Leadership Ahead of 2026 Midterms
President Donald Trump removed the remaining members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) on July 10, 2026, leaving the independent agency without any sitting commissioners just months before the midterm elections. Democratic commissioners Benjamin Hovland and Thomas Hicks were fired, while Republican commissioner Christy McCormick resigned. The White House cited the Slaughter decision as legal precedent for the removals. The EAC oversees federal voting system certification, election administration programs, and administers federal election grants. While career staff can continue day-to-day operations, the absence of commissioners complicates actions requiring formal votes, potentially slowing decisions on voting system standards and certifications. The move follows the commission's refusal to change the national voter registration form to require documentary proof of citizenship, which Trump had called for in a March 2025 executive order. A federal judge blocked that order, and the administration plans to appeal. The leadership vacuum comes as election officials prepare for the 2026 midterms amid cyber threats and foreign influence operations.
Government Executive - All ContentTrump fires remaining Election Assistance Commission members ahead of midterms
President Donald Trump removed 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 a recent Supreme Court ruling (Slaughter v. FTC) as legal precedent, asserting the president's authority to remove officials from independent agencies. 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 and his attacks on mail-in voting, raising concerns among voting rights advocates about election integrity ahead of November.
US Top News and AnalysisTrump 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. Politico reported the move as an apparent 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 voter registration form and blocking funds to states without citizenship checks, 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 Brennan Center for Justice warned the EAC cannot lawfully make decisions affecting how Americans vote.
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