Key facts
- President Donald Trump terminated the remaining three members of the Election Assistance Commission.
- The Election Assistance Commission is the sole federal agency dedicated to election administration.
- The firings followed a Supreme Court ruling on presidential firing discretion.
- Critics allege the move is an attempt to 'rig' upcoming US midterm elections.
- The commission's inability to act could impact voting standards and registration forms.
- The agency previously resisted demands for citizenship documentation on voter registration.
President Donald Trump has terminated the remaining three members of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), the sole federal agency dedicated to election administration, just months before the US midterm elections. The move has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and civil rights organizations, who accuse the administration of attempting to 'rig' the elections and politicize the agency.
The White House cited a recent Supreme Court ruling that expanded presidential discretion to fire heads of independent agencies as justification for the dismissals. The commission's two Democratic members, Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland, were informed of their termination via email. The sole remaining Republican commissioner, Christy McCormick, reportedly resigned rather than being fired outright, while a fourth seat had been vacant since earlier this year.
Critics argue that paralyzing the EAC, which certifies voting systems and assists election officials, is a 'brazen attempt' to seize control of the electoral process. The agency's inability to vote on formal actions, update voting standards, or maintain the national voter registration form could have significant administrative consequences. The EAC had previously resisted demands for citizenship documentation on the national voter registration form.
Senator Chuck Schumer called the firings a power grab, and other Democrats, including Senator Mark Warner and Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, expressed concern and condemned the administration's actions. Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar stated the firings were 'incredibly irresponsible,' highlighting the EAC's critical role in supporting state and local election officials.