Trump Fires Election Assistance Commission

President Donald Trump dismissed the remaining Democratic members of the independent Election Assistance Commission on Thursday, according to the White House. The move removed commissioners Benjamin Hovland and Thomas Hicks, while Republican commissioner Christy McCormick also stepped down from the panel.

A White House official said the president has the authority to remove officials who are not fully aligned with the administration’s efforts to secure U.S. elections and ensure that every legally cast ballot is counted. The administration pointed to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling involving the Federal Trade Commission, saying the decision affirmed the president’s authority to remove members of independent federal agencies.

The White House said the administration has prioritized election integrity since taking office by working with federal agencies and state and local officials to strengthen election security, prevent fraud, and improve election infrastructure ahead of future elections, including the upcoming midterm contests.

The Election Assistance Commission was created by Congress through the Help America Vote Act of 2002. The bipartisan agency provides guidance to election officials, helps administer federal election programs, and works to improve voting systems and voter participation across the country.

It remains unclear whether Trump will nominate replacements for the vacant commissioner positions. Any new appointments would require confirmation by the U.S. Senate before they could take office.

Democratic lawmakers quickly criticized the dismissals. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats would oppose what he described as an attempt to expand presidential authority, while Sen. Mark Warner argued the firings should concern Americans regardless of political affiliation.

The commission is also responsible for maintaining the national mail voter registration form required under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Trump and members of his administration have frequently criticized widespread mail-in voting and have supported additional safeguards for the process. Last month, Postmaster General David Steiner announced that the U.S. Postal Service would stop delivering mail ballots in states that do not provide certain voter information requested by the federal government.