President Donald Trump has terminated the last three members of the Election Assistance Commission, the independent federal agency responsible for helping state and local officials administer elections nationwide, in a move that comes just months before the 2026 midterm elections. According to reports, the dismissals happened on Thursday, with the two Democratic appointees, Chairman Thomas Hicks and Commissioner Benjamin Hovland, receiving emails from the White House Presidential Personnel Office informing them their positions were ended effective immediately, while the remaining Republican appointee, Vice Chair Christy McCormick, had already resigned in June. A fourth seat had been vacated earlier in April, leaving the four-member bipartisan commission without any sitting commissioners. 48d241d1
The White House defended the action by saying the president “reserves the right to remove individuals that may not be totally aligned with the important task of securing America’s elections and ensuring every legal vote is counted,” and pointed to a recent Supreme Court ruling that expanded presidential authority to fire members of independent agencies. The EAC was created by Congress in 2002 to serve as a national clearinghouse on election administration, to certify voting systems, accredit testing labs, and distribute federal funding to help states run elections. With a quorum of three required to take official action, the removals effectively leave the agency unable to carry out its core responsibilities heading into the midterms. 48d211a84a3841d1
The firings drew sharp criticism from Democrats and election officials. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it “a brazen attempt to seize control of our elections before a single vote is cast,” arguing that gutting the agency that certifies voting systems undermines nonpartisan election administration. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes described the move as “irresponsible and dangerous” and said it would cause chaos for election officials across the country. The administration has framed the changes as part of a broader effort to safeguard elections from fraud and abuse, but critics note it follows a pattern of Trump reshaping independent agencies after the Supreme Court’s June 29 decision granting him broader removal power. With the midterms approaching in November, the loss of federal guidance and support has already prompted concern among state officials who say they are seeing a drop in assistance and coordination from Washington. 7bd24a3848d241d1
